Leading designers from the United Kingdom visited Shenzhen yesterday, showcasing the strength of the country's creative industry in the wake of the city's calls for creativity and innovative ideas.

Led by Christine Losecaat, creative industries advisor to the U.K. Trade & Investment, a government organization promoting investment, the delegation includes experts from product design specialists Tangerine, Factory Design and Firefly Communications which have a proven track record of designing for multinational companies.

"Products produced by Chinese manufacturers are undeniably strong in quality and there are many innovative manufactures here. We are here to alert Chinese manufacturers to the powerful resources of the United Kingdom," said Bob Manning, China manager of inward investment group of British Consulate General Shanghai.

The creative industry, which includes designing, advertising, music, film, fashion and other sectors heavily relying on creative ideas and intellectual property rights, accounts for 8 percent of the GDP in the United Kingdom with an annual growth rate of 6 percent. It is enjoying the fastest growth in the country.

There are already some Chinese companies that have realized the importance of effective design solutions tailored for the international marketplace, said Peter Tennent, managing director of Factory Design.

Midea Group, one of China's leading consumer electric appliances company, established its first overseas design center in London in late 2004 after obtaining a huge purchase order from a British retailer.

The center, which is also the group's European headquarters, designs products catering to European consumers in order to strengthen its market position in Europe as well as in China. Just recently, Midea was nominated for the 48 Group Investor Award, a prize for the best Chinese company to have invested in the U.K.

Helping local companies with design, promotion and even public relations is very much possible, despite the cultural differences in two countries, according to Losecaat.

"I known some British design companies have set up offices in Beijing or successfully helping Beijing companies in promoting their education programs," said Losecaat.

Professor Martin Darbyshire with Tangerine said his company set up a branch in Seoul four years ago and might considering launching an office in Shenzhen or another Chinese city. "The key is to find out a right economic model," he said.

Editor: Yan