Talisman Sinopec chief executive Geoff Holmes has joined David Cameron in the largest British trade delegation ever to visit China.
The prime minister has flown to Beijing with some of the most powerful men in British business in an effort to woo those running the world’s second biggest economy.
The Conservative leader is championing a free trade agreement between the European Union and China, and last night he told the Press and Journal he would be delighted if that could help the North Sea.
“This is the largest trade mission Britain has ever taken to China and it comes at a time when Chinese investment in the UK has almost doubled in just one year,” he said.
“There is such untapped potential here in China and I’m determined to help companies like Talisman Sinopec succeed in this exciting and fast growing market. I hope this visit opens doors for them.”
Mr Cameron believes a free trade agreement could be worth tens of billions of pounds a year, with a potential £1.8billion boost for the UK alone.
He accused EU states which are resisting the proposal out of fear their markets will be flooded with cheap imports of trying to shut China off behind a “bamboo curtain” of trade barriers.
“I see China’s rise as an opportunity not just for the people of this country but for Britain and the world,” said Mr Cameron.
“Some in Europe want to shut China off behind a bamboo curtain of trade barriers. Britain wants to tear these barriers down. An open Britain is the ideal partner for an opening China.”
Talisman Sinopec Energy UK CEO, Geoff Holmes, said: “It is an honour to have been invited to join the prime minister. The continuing prosperity of the North Sea relies on investment.
“As a result of the creation of our joint-venture company with Sinopec, we will be investing more than $3billion (£1.83billion) in major projects over the next three years.”