Is there any country in the world that affects so much of our lives, but which we know so little about as China? Any so influential and yet so incomprehensible to us?

Like the moon before space travel, it looms in the background of our understanding, changing the world around us in ways we do not yet understand. The mystery is maintained by language barriers, cultural differences and an intense secrecy about the internal politics of this one-party state.

Sometimes we see their influence more clearly than others. It is no secret, for example, that the vast amount of carbon dioxide pumped into our atmosphere by hundreds of lightly regulated coal-fired power stations in China is one of the main drivers of rising world temperatures and the kind of climate change that will have a disproportionate effect on coastal areas like Furness.

I travelled to China last week as part of the major 'people-to-people' dialogue led jointly by Chinese vice-premier Liu Yandong and UK health secretary Jeremy Hunt (I was a participant in the young leaders element of the programme - I know, right?).

The aim of the enterprise is to promote better understanding and cooperation between our countries on key issues like climate change and funding for science, research and innovation. The prize for us is to unlock opportunities for British firms to trade in China's vast and rapidly expanding markets in a large range of areas.

Breaking down the barriers is not always easy, but it is clear that the Chinese are just as eager to learn from us as we are to understand them and the potential for the UK as they grow.

On the delegation I met with Chinese politicians, public servants and business leaders who gave me insights into the benefits for local firms if we have the patience and commitment to stick at this. The scale of the growth and long-term planning in that country is extraordinary, and while the question is often raised about whether we should engage with the Chinese, the real question is not whether but how and on what terms we do so.

Because the truth is that it is in economics where the gravitational pull of China really makes its effects known. The rise of a new, wealthy, Chinese middle class is one of the central economic facts of our age. These people drive demand for everything from new British cars to the higher education at which British universities excel - giving a chance for those institutions to lower the cost of teaching our own students in future years.

A central element of my trip was an attempt to forge stronger economic links between China and Cumbria. It may seem strange to some people that our corner of the world could have an economy intertwined with the Far East, but it is not as fanciful as it may appear. As high-value manufacturers, we are uniquely positioned to export to China and there are real opportunities to do so. Recently salvage firm James Fisher in Barrow signed a £35m contract with Chinese firm Shanghai Salvage, bringing huge investment to our area. I was able to meet with Jin Peixing, deputy director-general of Shanghai Salvage in China and discuss opportunities for future investment. But it is not just James Fisher, other local firms like GSK, ForgeEuropa and PlayDale are making great strides in that massive country. Many others can take advantage in future.

Deals with China can bring huge inward investment to Cumbria, creating jobs and powering sustainable growth and trade after Brexit. Perhaps the most interesting growth possibility for our county is the drive to try to attract more Chinese tourists to visit our beautiful unspoilt natural landscape, a push that will be greatly helped by more direct flights from Manchester. There are further opportunities for collaboration, on education, research and innovation where the Chinese are looking for partners willing to look ahead for the long-term.

This exchange of people and ideas as well as trade and investment may start to shed a little more light on a corner of the map that has been shrouded in darkness until recently. Many are understandably troubled by China's relative lack of openness and freedom for its citizens; it is not a democracy and is not going to become one any time soon. Our dialogue is an opportunity to promote our belief in individual human rights and protections as an example for others to follow. But Britain has never, and should never, limit its relationships to those countries which see the world exactly as we do. We cannot afford to ignore the impact of China on our economy, and we should not be frightened of seizing the opportunities this may present for our county.

This is my last column before Christmas, so I would like to end by wishing all Evening Mail readers a very Merry Christmas.