The city is becoming increasingly strong in services, and Xi's visit might highlight opportunities for Chinese companies, since the Chinese government is keen to rebalance its economy to tertiary industries.

"It is important to drive home the message that services in the UK are not all about financial ones in London," said Clive Drinkwater, northwest regional director of government agency UK Trade and Investment, who himself began doing business in China in the mid-1980s.

"In Manchester we have business services, architectural services, training and development companies, many of which would be willing to cooperate with the Chinese."

Nick Jaspan, managing director of Prolific North, a Manchester-based media publishing company, said he thought Xi's visit could be transformative.

"Manchester has already been moving up the gears over the past few years, but for Xi to choose Manchester to visit is significant and could make a major difference in international perceptions."