In January, I stood in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing and listened as British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao talked of the best ever relations between our two countries.

The Prime Minister held out the prospect of doubling UK exports to the world’s fastest growing economy by 2010 as overall trade sees a 50% increase. Meanwhile, Premier Wen expressed his satisfaction at the momentum behind improving Sino-British relations.

This new "comprehensive strategic partnership" clearly offers huge opportunity for UK design. I had been invited to address business leaders on "Partnership through Innovation", hopefully offering some insight into how all that potential can best be grasped.

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