On 30 November, H.E. Ambassador Zheng Zeguang attended the opening ceremony of the 2023 China-UK Hydrogen Energy Cooperation Forum in Manchester and delivered a speech.

Ambassador Zheng extended warm congratulations on the forum and pointed out that China is comprehensively advancing modernisation that features harmonious coexistence between man and Nature, and is firmly committed to prioritising ecological conservation and green development. The goals of China and the UK in promoting green and low-carbon development, especially hydrogen energy, are highly compatible. The two countries have respective strengths, and there are broad prospects for cooperation in this field. Ambassador Zheng spoke highly of the outcomes achieved by Wuhan and Manchester in hydrogen cooperation since the first forum held last year, and expressed his hope that the two sides will take this year's forum as an opportunity to further tap the potential for cooperation, support each other’s energy transition, and contribute to global response to climate change.

The forum was jointly organised by the UK National Committee on China, the Chinese Consulate General in Manchester, the Manchester City Council, and the Manchester China Forum. Long Liangwen, Vice-Chairman of the Standing Committee of Wuhan Municipal People's Congress, Councillor Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, and Lewis Neal, UK trade commissioner to China, delivered remarks at the forum. Tang Rui, Chinese Consul General to Manchester, and Frank Slevin, Chairman of the UK National Committee on China, along with representatives from various sectors from the two countries, attended the event. 

Before the forum, Ambassador Zheng and participants visited the exhibition showcasing the achievements of China-UK hydrogen energy cooperation.