BUSINESSES in York are being encouraged not shy away from exporting to China following reports of its economic crisis as local firms continue to flourish in the Far East.

Following a dramatic 12 months in the Chinese economy, Yorkshire export specialists Chamber International is advising business not to be too wary with their export aspirations.

Chamber international advisor Matthew Grandage said: "The Shanghai Composite Index is actually roughly back to where it was just over a year ago. Its rapid rise to June 2015 and equally rapid fall since then almost mirror each other.

"China's recent trade figures have been significantly down too, not least because of decreased demand from its export markets. But December's figures were actually better than feared, prompting some commentators to suggest that the worst is over."

Mr Grandage says China's stock market tremors have implications for UK exports in a number of ways, firstly because they're sending shock waves through markets around the world, and secondly because they are symptomatic of bigger issues and trends within China, particularly "a rapidly changing economy, falling national factory output and a growing middle class and ageing population".

Mr Grandage said: "In the manufacturing sector, British businesses tend to compete in China based on quality, brand and specialist knowledge, not just on price. Strong, innovative Chinese producers are demanding levels of quality, service, safety and efficiency they would never have considered 10 years ago."

Ellis Patents, based in Rillington, has now won two major contracts to supply its Emperor cable cleats and ProTect cable straps to secure electrical cabling at the Taishan Nuclear Power Project in the Guangdong province. The orders were placed despite a directive for the project to use local suppliers.

Mr Grandage said: "Another sector with huge export potential is food. China’s food imports are growing rapidly, driven by local undersupply, rising disposable incomes, and consumers' concerns about quality and safety.

"And the fact that China is ageing so quickly, with 220 million over-60s today, projected to rise to 480 million by 2050, opportunities are being presented for business in the elderly care sector."

York-based DWA Architects has recognised the opportunity presented by this social change, and is seeing its winning design for a Senior Living Care Village in Shunde, Guangzhou, come to life in 2016.

The firm, working with Beijing-based partner TLD Design Consulting won an international design competition for the project which is designed to accommodate 750 people. A further 450 places should be added during the next phase of the project.

Chamber International, which is part of the North and West Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, provided services that facilitated £82 million of exports to China in 2015.