Blackpool sign agreement to be twin towns with Chinese resort
Blackpool's going global as council leaders seal a deal with China in the hope of boosting the local economy.
Blackpool's going global as council leaders seal a deal with China in the hope of boosting the local economy.
Chinese officials are in the resort today to officially sign an agreement making the Chinese seaside resort Sanya a twin town.
The two resorts plan to trade with each other which could give a big boost to out local economy.
They're also trying to encourage thousands of Chinese tourists to come and visit the town as a holiday destination.
WATCH: Here's the moment the agreement was signed:
Blackpool Council Leader, Cllr Simon Blackburn, said: “It is a huge honour to welcome this Chinese delegation to Blackpool.
“We have had some extremely positive discussions and I sincerely hope they enjoy their time here.
“At a time when we are exploring alternative ways to boost our local economy and create jobs, the potential investment that could come from our link-up with China could be vital.
“We have already seen half a million pounds of investment come into the Winter Gardens from selling the rights to the Blackpool Dance Festival and by working with our new friends in China, hopefully there will be much more good news to come.
“It is not just about investment but also about learning from the Chinese community. Their education system is one of the most successful in the world and our schools are already looking at ways that we can make the most of that to give our children at school the best possible chances in life.
“I know our Chinese community were really keen for this to happen and they have been instrumental in driving the agreement forward. I thank them for their foresight in pushing this forward and I am looking forward to seeing how the partnership develops.”