ACOLINK LTD rung in the new year with a Chinese Spring Festival networking event in Leeds on Monday, 21 January.

Gathering local businesses and entrepreneurs in Red Chilli, a Beijing and Sichuan style restaurant, it was a casual and informal session to celebrate the upcoming Year of the Pig.

The proceeds of the session will be donated to Leeds Elderly Medicine, Leeds Cares with special consideration, by the event’s guests, as to the cause they wanted to support. ACOLINK together with Red Chilli restaurant in Leeds will continue collecting donations throughout the Spring Festival.

Proceeds from the event will be donated to Leeds Cares charity dedicated to healthcare

Celebrate & Network brought together a wide range of businesses and people in conversation. Rounding off the evening, guests – including senior representatives from Brandon-Medical, JMW Solicitors and DIT – shared their experiences in trading with China.

Let’s Do China’s second run comes at a time when businesses should be seeking newing markets, China in particular, for new opportunities and to get ahead of the competition.

Speaking to guests at the session, ACOLINK CEO, Anita Zhang, explained, "China had a new e-commerce law passed in August, and it’s now in effect in 2019. For any businesses that want to trade with China through cross-border e-commerce, it’s the best time to understand what the law means and how you can utilise that opportunity. Together working with our partners and also our friends, we’re bringing more Chinese opportunities closer to local businesses.

“We have our strategic partners in China echoing what [ACOLINK] is doing here in the UK. We’re trying to create this community, we’re trying to say trading with China can be difficult but together with peer to peer support, we can do it. So together: Let’s Do China.”

This networking session is part of Let’s Do China – a series of alternative events and workshops offering a refreshing take to trading with China. Through this initiative, ACOLINK has joined forces with the Northern Powerhouse Export Awards and the Exporting is GREAT campaign to bring more opportunities closer to local businesses.

Let’s Do China’s first run in 2018, had great feedback on the fresh, alternative approach. The event guests enjoyed the atmosphere, the niche knowledge and the collaborative approach to the session. Geared to build confidence, narrow knowledge gaps, and give exporters a competitive advantage, Let’s Do China is targeted at businesses who want to explore their international sales potential.

In 2019, Let’s Do China will be running throughout the year, including more networking events. With various sessions on understanding Chinese consumers, IP protection and the new e-commerce law among others, it’s set to welcome British businesses to China’s opening up.

Find out more, explore upcoming events or leave suggestions at LetsDoChina.org.