China's Ambassador to the UK, Zheng Zeguang is visiting Northern Ireland for the first time, to promote economic cooperation and talk about cultural exchange, climate change and why hydrogen is the fuel of the greener future.

Zheng toured Ulster University, with a trade delegation in tow and discussed the potential to strengthen cultural links between China and the UK.

The focus was to explore how best to invest, grow industries and create jobs.

READ MORE:

Moon water discovered on Chinese mission

Why has antimatter disappeared?

EXPLAINER: What are tactical nuclear weapons?

"When we have a good sister city relationship, a productive sister city relationship and constructive input, effective regional relationship between China and the UK, then it will lead to a more successful and productive state-to-state relationship," said the diplomat. 

"And I do see the benefits of cooperation and exchanges between China and Northern Ireland already."

At the Northern Ireland Forum on New Energy Innovation, government, business and academia came together to talk about technologies of the future and the shared interests between China and the UK to advance research and development in renewable energy – specifically, green hydrogen.

"There is keen interest on both sides to work together to develop the research and development, hydrogen energy and also to put it into applications and to solve the fundamental needs of both sides," added the ambassador.

Driving change

The UK has big plans to become a world leading hydrogen economy and Northern Ireland has the existing infrastructure - wind farms and natural resources to generate green hydrogen to heat homes, power industry and fuel transport.

Northern Ireland based bus manufacturer Wrightbus is also a major player. It is leading the way in zero-emissions vehicles by driving the industry into a new era of energy efficient transport with its fuel cell vehicles.

The company is driving change in public transport, with multiple orders from around the world, including from China for their hydrogen powered fleets. The Belfast-founded firm is spearheading innovation in hydrogen cell technology. The hope is to attract new investment from China to other sectors in the region and stoke economic growth.

China is the biggest producer and user of hydrogen in the world, while Northern Ireland is positioning itself as a leader in green hydrogen, so partnerships and collaboration make business sense. It will also help China and the UK get closer to their net zero emissions goals.

Subscribe to Storyboard: A weekly newsletter bringing you the best of CGTN every Friday