A collaborative venture of 15 leading British professional institutions with interests in China was launched here on Wednesday to cash in on China's fast developing construction boom.

Professional Institutions UK China (PI-UKChina) is a unique initiative among British professional institutions and recognizes China as one of the world's most rapidly developing markets for built environment, construction and engineering activity.

"The launch of PI-UKChina opens a new chapter on the increasing collaboration of UK professional institutions. Together we welcome the opportunity to work more closely with Chinese professionals across the sector from urban planning, through design, to management to the built environment, in tackling the important challenges faced by our international communities," said Nick Raynsford, a member of Parliament and keynote speaker at Wednesday's launch.

The purpose of PI-UKChina is to provide access to a range of knowledge on the built environment and engineering professions, and to develop opportunities for collaboration between Chinese and British professionals.

Michael Brown, chairman of the UK Steering Committee of PI-UKChina, said: "China has the largest construction industry in the world. UK professional institutions are recognized as world leaders in their disciplines and collaboration with Chinese professionals is vitally important in being part of the international built environment and engineering industries."

PI-UKChina will be working with the Chinese government, higher education institutions and industries and provide expertise to the construction sector.

(Xinhua News Agency September 14, 2006)