The British Ironworks Centre has unveiled a massive Chinese dragon sculpture.

The timing of the sculpture's launch coincides with the recent meeting between UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and China's President Xi Jinping, reflecting warming relations and improving trade and economic ties.

A statement from the Oswestry-based centre said: "For us, the sculpture is a nod to an already changing world dynamic, with China actively scheduled to take the world's No 1 spot – as the world's largest economy.

Rosie White, Centre Operations, poses in front of the dragon (Image: Supplied) "Change always brings about disruption and resistance, the United States outgoing president Joe Biden openly recently vocalising the need to avoid conflict.

"Conflict between superpowers is and has been for many decades now unthinkable, any conflict between these two superpowers will be catastrophic for the entire world.

"Worse it is very likely to be enacted in the middle ground, very possibly Europe, the likelihood of it being on US or Chinese soil is unlikely.

(Image: Supplied) "Old, outdated biases over China, need to be rethought, China for all its failings and challenges hasn’t started a war or been involved in a war for over 40 years, whereas the United States is rarely without, whether its labelled military conflict or formally acknowledged as war.

"The dragon represents wisdom, we hope that China uses its new role in the world for peace and mutual success, it represents courage – we hope this is used, to forge a new path, away from conflict and war, and lead the world courageously to a more peaceful and harmonious future."