THE Chinese ambassador to the UK was in the North-East yesterday to meet Chinese investors in the region.

The region leads the UK in Chinese investment and is home to 18 Chinese companies.

Ma Zhengang visited the offices of accountancy software firm Sage, in Newcastle, and met Chinese investors at the Greensfield Business Centre, in Gateshead. He also took in a trip to St James' Park where he met Newcastle United chairman Freddy Shepherd.

The ambassador's two-day visit is being used as a platform to promote the wealth of business opportunities available in China for firms in the North-East.

Development agency One NorthEast, working with Gateshead council, has developed a support mechanism at the Greensfield Business Centre to allow new Chinese investors access to a Chinese manager and low-cost office space in Gateshead.

The region's Chinese operations, employing more than 60 people, include clothing manufacturers and firms specialisisng in horticultural products, student and nurse recruitment into the UK and software development.

North-East universities and business schools now teach more than 1,500 Chinese- speaking students every year.

One NorthEast opened an office in Shanghai last June and the regional development agency has a China team, promoting its publications in mandarin and raising the profile of the North-East in China as the place to do business in Europe.

The potential for investment and trading with China is huge. The country boasts a domestic market of more than £700bn and an import market of almost £100bn.

George Cowcher, head of the One NorthEast business team, said: "The North-East is ahead of other UK regions in establishing commercial links with China."