The reopening of the MG Rover plant at Longbridge came as a symbolic triumph for the city of Birmingham.

Three new MG TF sportscars were on display at a ceremony staged by new owner Nanjing Automobile Corporation.

But the vehicles unveiled at the opening were merely assembled at Longbridge, not manufactured there.

Even so, the event attracted a great deal of attention from the British media...

...As well as from 16 Chinese-language journalists, who had come to Birmingham specially for the occasion.

A parade of historic MG cars, the oldest dating back to 1925, was another feature of the occasion.

The firm that now owns Longbridge is China's oldest carmaker - and most of the MG's components will be made in China.