On 26 June London time, thanks to the great support from the Chinese Embassy in the UK and Department for International Trade UK (DIT), the “Celebration of the 70th Anniversary of the Founding of the People’s Republic of China & Second China-UK Economic and Trade Forum” sponsored by the CCCUK was hosted in the City Hall in London. The event, in the spirit of “Openness, Cooperation and Sharing”, was attended by nearly 300 Chinese and British politicians and business representatives who reviewed the development of China-UK business cooperation over the past 70 years since the founding of China, discussed China’s new steps of opening up and explored new opportunities for China-UK cooperation created by the Belt and Road Initiative.

The Second China-UK Economic and Trade Forum

Present and addressing at the event were: LIU Xiaoming, Chinese Ambassador to the UK; Graham Stuart MP, Investment Minister of DIT; GAO Yan, President of the ChinaChamber of International Commerce (CCOIC); Ms. BAO Ling, Minister Counsellor of the Commercial and Economic Office of the Chinese Embassy in the UK; FANG Wenjian, Chairman of the CCCUK and President of the Bank of China London Branch; and Stephen Perry, President of the 48 Group Club; Sir Douglas Flint CBE, special envoy of the British government to the Belt and Road Initiative; Sir Jim O ‘Neill, former Business Secretary of the UK Treasury and President of Chatham House; KONG Qingjiang, professor at China University of Political Science and Law and Dean of the School of International Law; Alan Belfield, Chairman of the Arup Group; YU Dongwen, Lead Director of BCEGI UK.; and Ross McMahon, CEO of Kendal Nutricare. The forum was attended by 250 guests from the political, business, academic and media circles of China and Britain.

H.E. Ambassador LIU Xiaoming delivering a keynote speech

The Ambassador said in his keynote speech that 2019 marked the 70th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China and the 65th anniversary of the establishment of China-UK diplomatic relationship at the level of charged affaires. The Forum is an important platform for the business communities of the two countries to exchange ideas, dock needs, talk about cooperation and jointly promote development. The Ambassador mentioned four main historic lessons of China-UK business cooperation. First, Respicting each other and keeping the larger picture in mind. Second, leveraging comparative strengths and matching strategies. Third, staying open and inclusive and engaging in win-win cooperation. Fourth, strengthening the ond between people and cementing public support for China-UK relations. To usher in a bright future of China-UK business cooperation, he said, the two countries should seize the opportunities of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the policy opportunities arising from China’s new round of high-level opening-up, and the platform opportunities spring from the Belt and Road construction. With concerted effort, win-win outcome will be achieved in China-UK business cooperation.

Graham Stuart delivering a keynote speech

Graham Stuart said, the UK owns its success to an open and dynamic economy, which boasts proven international network, business acumen, entrepreneurial ability, and a commitment to equality and mutual benefit in rules-based international trading activities. After Brexit, all this will not change, and the UK economy will continue to show strong momentum. In the future, the UK will pursue an ambitious business relationship with China. The UK looks forward to deepening business cooperation with China for mutual benefit, building consensus to establish a stable and efficient platform for exchanges and interactions, working for more trade and investment projects to bring China-UK business cooperation to a new level.

President GAO Yan delivering a keynote speech

President GAO said, China-UK relations have always been at the forefront of China’s relations with Western countries. Despite the great changes to the global landscape, the “Golden Era” of China-UK relations continues steadily. Currently, the business communities of the two countries are capitalising on their complementary advantages and working for the fast growth of bilateral business. Especially, their pragmatic cooperation under the framework of Belt and Road Initiative has kept breathing new vigor into the Golden Era. The CCPIT is ready to cooperate with its counterparts in the UK to build more platforms and provide professional services for enterprises of the two countries to cooperate in trade, investment, finance, so as to write a new chapter in China-UK business cooperation in the new era.

Counsellor BAO Ling delivering a speech

Counsellor BAO said, driven by the Belt and Road Initiative, China-UK trade relations have registered rapid growth, yielding many achievements. The successful “10th China-UK Economic and Financial Dialogue” has promoted dialogue and communication between the two countries and lifted China-UK business cooperation to a new height. She hoped for China and the UK to continue to deepen mutual trust and enhance cooperation at business, finance and government levels.

President FANG Wenjian delivering a speech

President FANG, in his welcome speech, expounded the threefold significance of the Second China-UK Economic and Trade Forum. First, the Forum represents the Chamber’s tribute to the 70th anniversary of the founding of PRC. Second, the Forum showcases the results of the Chamber’s efforts to advance the 10th  China-UK Economic and Financial Dialogue and China-UK business cooperation. Third, amid the Brexit uncertainty, unilateralism and trade protectionism challenges, the Forum provides new confidence and impetus for the development of the China-UK Golden Era. The CCCUK will, together with all walks of life, show the world a more open China and make unremitting efforts to promote mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries.

Chairman Stephen Perry delivering a keynote speech

Chairman Stephen Perry said, the past 70 years have seen China progress remarkably in its economic development. In the future, China-UK trade will seek more practical outcomes. In closing, he said the current opportunities for cooperation between China and the UK are rare to see in his 50-year business career.

Group photo of VIP guests

On the evening the Chamber held the “CCCUK 2019 Annual -Conference”, where H.E. Ambassador LIU Xiaoming, Mr. Mark Slaughter, Chairman FANG Wenjian, Sir Sherard Cowper, President-elect of the China-Britain Business Council, and over 400 Chamber membership representatives and VIPs approved the achievements of the Chamber and visioned future development opportunities.

H.E. Ambassador LIU delivers a keynote speech at the Annual Conference

At the annual conference, the Ambassador acknowledged the positive role of the CCCUK. He said, the CCCUK has grown into a “mutual benefit platform” for China-UK business cooperation, an “exchange platform” to communicate with official policies, and a “service platform” promoting the development of Chinese enterprises in the UK. He hoped for the CCCUK to be a propagandist of reform and opening, a pioneer of the Belt and Road Initiative, and a promoter of mutual learning among civilizations. The Ambassador concluded his speech by wishing the CCCUK continuous progress, further achievements and more “golden fruits” to the China-UK Golden Era.

Mr. Mark Slaughter,Director General for Investment, Department for International Tradegives a keynote speech

Mr. Mark Slaughter, Director General of DIT delivered a keynote speech at the general assembly. He said, while celebrating the good relations and mutual success of the China-UK Golden Era, people are also looking forward to an ambitious future. Recently, the China-UK economic and financial dialogue was held between Chinese Vice Premier HU Chunhua and Philip Hammond, UK Chancellor of the Exchequer, which points to the two countries’ shared goals and expectation of achieving strong, sustainable and inclusive growth, their intention to strengthen economic cooperation, and their aspirations to promote bilateral trade and investment and deepen financial cooperation. The DIT hoped to promote cooperation with friends in the Chinese government and the business community, to develop bilateral trade, and to work for expanded trade and investment between China and the UK.

Sir Sherard Cowper delivers a speech

Sir Sherard Cowper said, China’s rapid development is a wonder in modern economic history. The development of high-speed rail is a mark that China leads the world in infrastructure construction. The UK feels it an honor to provide China with more professional and rich technical support, financial services, food and consumer goods. He believed trade between countries is the guarantee for a bright future, saying that Chinese and British companies are obliged to contribute to the mutually beneficial cooperation between China and the UK.

FANG Wenjian presents the achievements and prospects of the CCCUK

Chairman FANG said at the annual conference the past year saw the CCCUK play well its role in promoting China-UK economic and trade cooperation, voicing for Chinese enterprises, advancing China-UK public welfare, and pushing China-UK cooperation. In the future, the CCCUK will work for new practical outcomes of China-UK “Belt and Road” cooperation, provide more diversified services for its members, make constant efforts to improve the organisation, and push China-UK public welfare cooperation. Chinese enterprises in the UK are still limited in size, but they have huge potential for development and are ready to strengthen cooperation with all walks of life in the UK, to integrate into the local society, and to contribute new vitality into the development of the UK, the Chairman added.

CCCUK 2019 Annual Reference

The event was supported by the China-Britain Business Council, The 48 Group Club and the Great Britain China Centre. Participants agreed that China-UK Business Forum is an important platform for Chinese and British companies to draw on each other’s advantages and pursue win-win cooperation, and that it will blaze new areas of trade and investment, explore new modes of the Belt and Toad cooperation, and help write a brilliant chapter in China-UK business cooperation.