Question to the Department for International Trade:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the Sichuan Guodong Construction Group in relationship to the Sheffield City Council investment deal with that Group.

In 2015 UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) considered the development track record and market capital of Sichuan Guodong Construction Group Corporation Limited, the parent company, and Sichuan Guodong Construction Ltd, a listed subsidiary company on the Shanghai Stock Exchange, in relation to their ability to make significant investments in Sheffield. This included a recommendation from the Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China that Wang Chunming, chairman of both companies, was included in the business delegation alongside President Xi for his October 2015 State Visit to the UK.

This consideration of this group of companies was in conjunction with UKTI taking a role in supporting the relationship that had emerged between this group of companies and Sheffield City Council.

On 28^th June 2016 a co-operation signing document was signed between Sichuan Guodong Construction Group Corporation Ltd (the parent company) and Sheffield City Council.

In 2015 UKTI did not identify undue risks when considering whether they should take a role in supporting the relationship that had emerged between the Sichuan Guodong group of companies and Sheffield City Council. Therefore no risks were identified to Sheffield City Council.