A joint government-business delegation from the Isle of Man has begun a hectic schedule of meetings on a trade and goodwill tour of China.

Eight private sector firms from the Island representing a range of different sectors have joined the mission led by the economic development minister John Shimmin.

They have a packed round of face-to-face meetings with Chinese businessmen, trade and export organisations and government officials on a tour of Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou.

Over five days this week delegation members aim to build long-term working relationships with the Chinese and win new business.

Local firms Appleby, Dandara, Duke Marketing, KPMG, Simcock's, SMP Partners, ILS Group and the Manx Educational Foundation have all sent delegates.

From the government side Minister Shimmin is joined by DED project head Steven Beavers and the department's London-based international director Michael Charlton.

Meetings have been organised with the Ministry of Commerce, the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade and the Department of Foreign Trade and International Co operation. .

The Manx delegation's strategy is to position the Isle of Man as a 'gateway' jurisdiction for Chinese firms exporting to European Union countries, outlining opportunities to gain free movement within the EU via the Island's UK customs status.

There have been a number of media opportunities for the Manx delegates through interviews on television and radio and pre-visit coverage in the printed media.