NORTH-East companies are being invited to a free seminar to learn about trading opportunities with China.

The one-day seminar, which runs from 9am to 4pm on Thursday, offers small to medium-sized companies information about the opportunities available and the practicalities of doing business in China.

The event, held at Newcastle Falcons Ruby Club, will have Minister Shi Jianxin, the Minister Counsellor (Economic and Commercial) from the Embassy of The People's Republic of China in the UK, as the keynote speaker.

Geoff Young, of Business Link County Durham, said China was the sixth largest economy in the world and had a growth rate of nine per cent.