Continuum Group, the York-based designer and operator of visitor attractions has reached an agreement with design company Beijing Rainbow Sky International Science & Technology to develop opportunities in China.

A spokesperson for Continuum said Rainbow will act as Continuum's associate in China. "Rainbow will work to develop leads and opportunities for us. They will provide the local knowledge which will be backed up by our international expertise for projects.”

The company has already submitted a tender to one Beijing museum and is in talks with a further museum in Beijing and one in Shanghai.

The Rainbow agreement was reached following trips by Continuum's senior management to China over the past year.

In August 2004, Juliana Delaney, managing director of Heritage Projects, Continuum's operating division, took part in a British Council sponsored mission to meet Chinese museum experts.

Earlier this year, Continuum CEO Dominic Tweddle joined a DTI trade mission lecturing at museums and attractions in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzen.

In the UK, the company is currently working with the developers of the £60m Dickens World complex in the Thames Gateway. Heritage Projects will operate a themed Dickensian attraction, which Juliana Delaney claims will be the "largest indoor interpretive, immersive attraction in the UK".

Last month, Continuum finally unveiled the Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth. Funded by Portsmouth City Council and operated by Heritage Projects, the £30m tower was originally intended as a millennium project, scheduled to open in 1999, but construction delays led to its opening to the public nearly six years late.

In the past year the company has also created a multimedia attraction for archaeological site, Caesarea Maritima in Israel; an exhibition called Arts Explorer for the new Wales Millennium Centre; and unveiled Fenscape, an attraction interpreting the history and development of the Fens in the east of England.

The company opened its first international office in Talinn, Estonia earlier this year, which is expected to be followed by further European offices. Details: www.continuum-group.com

Photograph: Juliana Delaney (MD, Heritage Projects) and Dominic Tweddle (CEO, Continuum Group)