CBBC Business Group Meets Chinese Premier LI Keqiang:
Business Ties between the UK and China are Strong and Growing
As a sign of the thriving business ties between the UK and China, CBBC held a virtual meeting with Premier LI Keqiang and a group of senior UK business leaders from CBBC Member companies, on 6th July 2021. The meeting covered a wide range of issues, including bilateral trade and investment, measures to improve the business environment and counter the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as joint efforts to combat climate change.
In his opening remarks, Premier LI commented that, “UK-China trade has increased against all odds; investment is also on the rise. These trends show that between China and the UK there are not just shared interests, but space for growth. A sound and steady UK-China relationship is also critical for the growth of trade and investment between our two countries.”
During the meeting, Premier LI shared perspectives on China’s future economic reform and UK-China relations. The business leaders in attendance – representing some of the UK’s largest companies – also emphasised their long-term commitment to the Chinese market during the meeting. Also in attendance were Ministers from the National Development and Reform Commission, The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, The Ministry of Finance, and The Ministry of Commerce.
Commenting on the meeting, CBBC Chair, Sir Sherard Cowper-Coles said
Lord Sassoon, CBBC President, said,
Looking forward, Premier LI expressed his opinion that “It is important for both sides to remember the big picture. Britain is committed to multilateralism and free trade, and China shares this commitment. Whatever problems there are, we can always work them out through dialogue.”
China is currently the UK’s largest bilateral trade partner, with trade value standing at £24bn as of Q1 2021 (ONS). At the end of 2019, Chinese investment in the UK totalled some £3.2bn, with 800 Chinese companies employing over 75,000 people in the UK. From 2010 to 2020 UK goods exports to China grew by 73%, with the value to the UK economy rising from £50.5 bn to £87.4 bn. The services surplus is £3.1bn in 2020; and London is the largest RMB trading hub in the world.
