It was the first of its kind in Belfast.

A forum that brought around 150 Chinese and UK businesses together, with the aim of putting Northern Ireland on the radar of Chinese companies and attracting FDI (Foreign direct investment).

"Nearly half of our member companies are keen to invest beyond London. We are tired of London," said Fang Wenjian, Bank of China UK CEO and Chairman of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce.

Northern Ireland is trying to position itself as an alternative destination with Fang calling Belfast "a city where shipyards meet startups and tradition meets transformation."

On Tuesday the first ever China-Northern Ireland Economic Trade and investment forum took place in Belfast organised by Invest Northern Ireland and the Chinese Chamber of Commerce UK.

Around 400 business leaders, entrepreneurs, and government officials attended, along with big name sponsors Bank of China and BYD, the Chinese electric vehicle giant.

"We will help Northern Irish companies seize the tremendous business opportunities offered by China's advanced e-commerce platforms and digital technologies," added Fang.

"By leveraging these tools, we aim to help Northern Ireland expand its cross-border trade and digital economy, opening new business channels and turning opportunities into tangible projects."

Attraction of Northern Ireland

Bilateral trade is currently worth over $1 billion between China and Northern Ireland, but Northern Irish businesses are aiming for much more.

Chinese Consul General Li Nan told CGTN Europe: "Northern Ireland has a lot to offer. Firstly, dual access to both UK and EU markets. Number two, it's a very highly educated talent pool, so advanced manufacturing, fintech, and biopharmacy are three areas where I see a lot of potential.

"Also new energy, renewable energy. China now owns some of the most advanced technologies in solar power generation, in wind power generation. And we are ready to look for international partners to help to build those in a green manner.

"There is also the beauty of the cultural diversity and the inclusiveness. I think all these are attracting factors to potential investors, even potential tourists, students from China."

Keith Anderson is CEO at Thompson Aero Seating Ltd, one of the greatest China-Northern Ireland success stories.

Thompson was bought by Chinese investors in 2016 and stuck with the company through big challenges. "We wouldn't be here without our partners," Anderson said. The company now has an order book of over $1 billion.

"First of all, business is about relationships," Anderson added.

"And the Northern Irish man and Northern Irish woman are incredible collaborators and incredible teammates. But beyond that, I think we've got two distinct strengths, our intellect and our 'can do' (attitude).

"We're strong partners and we generally deliver. And so that's, in terms of how I would summarize it, that's the essence of who we are in Northern Ireland."

The super trillion company

Another exciting Chinese company at the forum was Sanyou Bio, a Chinese biotech firm that's been in business for just 10 years. With its core tech platform called 'AI-Driven Super Trillion Molecule Library,' it's revolutionizing the way new medicines are developed, tested and brought to market.

It has a state-of-the-art 200,000 square feet R&D facility in Shanghai with a world-leading antibody drug discovery system and is aiming to expand fast worldwide.

Zhong Peipei from Sanyou's Global Business Development team told CGTN: "Our international business growth is steady and sharp year by year. 

"At the moment, all our R&D facilities are still based in Shanghai, but we have this vision to expand our R& D facilities worldwide so we will probably consider to set up a hub in America and also in Europe."

General Consul Li stressed Northern Irish companies need to be proactive to attract the investment too.

"You need to visit China, to understand China. China is a large country with a huge market," Li said. "Our middle-class population is 400 million and this number will double to 800 million in the next five to 10 years.

"Northern Ireland is small and beautiful, the scenery is amazing - it's shockingly beautiful along the seacoast to the Giant's Causeway. 

"But they need to visit China, to get their products, services better known to the public and attract more Chinese investors, entrepreneurs, tourists, students - just to come and demonstrate the beauty of Northern Ireland to China and to the rest of the world."