However, the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) has ratified the venue and, with typical Chinese efficiency, work has already started on regeneration of the waterfront area, which will be the legacy to the city of Quindao for hosting the sailing.

And it may surprise some in the UK leisure marine industry to find the British Marine Federation (BMF) has been as farsighted as the Chinese in this regard and has already made extensive contacts in the country and, specifically in the Quindao region.

The object? To create business opportunities for the UK leisure marine industry.

In 2002, James Grazebrook, currently president of the BMF, took a British expeditionary force to Quindao, which is twinned with Southampton and Brest, France.

Along on the trip were the RYA's John Derbyshire, who ran the sailing team in Sydney, Tim Coventry of Performance Sailcraft and Mike Smith, executive director of Southampton City Council (SCC).

The group got the full civic reception at Quindao and met all the local key people and the top people organising the sailing for the 2008 Games.

A return match saw a Chinese delegation arrive at the Southampton Boat Show.

They were given the full works - civic reception, dinner at St Mary's.

Vice mayor Mme Zang Aimin - Qingdao Municipal Government, executive board member organising committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, administrative vice chairman, sailing sub-committee, a senior member of the Chinese delegation, was very flattering about the organisation of the BMF and wants to work with the federation to find relevant suppliers and expertise to help China with its Olympic Games efforts and all that follows.

"There is no doubt that over two years, with effort from the SCC and ourselves, and by using Southampton's Sister City partnership, a really strong relationship has grown that can be used by any BMF member wishing to work with China and Quindao, " Grazebrook told BB.

Interested BMF members should contact BMF director of export services Toby Allies for more details.