On 28 June, the China Chamber of Commerce in the UK, specially supported by the Chinese Embassy in the UK, held the Online Exhibition of Achievements of Chinese Enterprises in the UK 2001-2021. The event’s supporting organisations were the 48 Group Club and CBBC. The exhibition focused on ‘new heights of economic and trade cooperation, new areas of rooted operations, and new opportunities for mutual benefit and win-win cooperation’. The event showcased nearly 130 precious photos of historical moments of Chinese enterprises in the UK in industries such as finance, technology, infrastructure, and energy. The event presented 20 years of achievements of Chinese enterprises in the UK from different angles and reflected the tremendous contributions made by Chinese enterprises in the UK to promote the mutual beneficial cooperation in all fields and the development of China-UK economic and trade relations.

The event invited H.E. Zheng Zeguang, Chinese Ambassador to the UK, Ms. Bao Ling, Minister for Economic & Commercial Affairs in the Chinese Embassy, Mr. Fang Wenjian, Chairman of the CCCUK, Stephen Perry, Chairman of the 48 Group Club, and Sir Sherard Cowper-Coles KCMG LVO, Chair of the China-Britain Business Council to deliver keynote speeches. Around 300 audiences from various Chinese and British political, business, and academic circles attended the online event. The event was broadcasted live on Facebook and Twitter, attracting over tens of thousands of  viewers in the UK and from abroad.

The exhibition showcased the history of the development of China-UK economic and trade cooperation. 2021 marks the 100^th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of the People’s Republic of China and the 20^th anniversary of the founding of China Chamber of Commerce in the UK. Over the past 20 years, CCCUK provided pivotal assistance to the development of Chinese enterprises in the UK, witnessed and participated in the great reform and opening up and construction of socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era. The exhibition showcased the significant achievements and valuable experiences of Chinese enterprises in the UK, enhancing understanding and mutual trust of the Chinese and British business communities and told China’s story in the new era.

Pic. 1: H.E. Zheng Zeguang, Chinese Ambassador to the UK delivers a keynote speech

This launch event is the debut of H.E. Zheng Zeguang in the China-UK business exchange event after he took up his new post as Chinese Ambassador to the UK, injecting greater confidence to cooperative development of the Chinese and British business communities. In his keynote speech titled “Seize Opportunities to Forge Ahead in China-UK Economic and Trade Relations”, H.E. Zheng Zeguang said, the success of the Chinese political system is the fundamental premise for the development of Chinese enterprises in the UK, the sound and steady development of China-UK relations is an important safeguard for the growth of Chinese companies in the UK, and win-win cooperation is the basis for the development of Chinese enterprises in the UK. China and the UK have highly complementary economies and our cooperation enjoy enormous potential. Cooperation is a two-way street and its benefits should be shared. Companies may have many secrets to the success of their cooperation. But the most important one is always seeking win-win results. China-UK trade and economic cooperation could not have been so successful without the contribution of business leaders from both countries. Right now, China-UK relations are encountering headwinds and have come to a critical juncture. It is important that the business communities of our two countries work together to tackle the current difficulties. He hope the British and Chinese business communities will build on the progress they have made, continue to strive forward and open up new prospects for China-UK economic cooperation and trade.

Pic. 2: Mr. Fang Wenjian, Chairman of the CCCUK and General Manager of Bank of China

London Branch delivers a welcome speech

Mr. Fang Wenjian, Chairman of the CCCUK, introduced to the guests the growth of the CCCUK and the remarkable achievements the enterprising Chinese businesses in the UK have obtained in the past 20 years. In his speech, Mr. Fang said, Chinese businesses have been fully committed to the UK for nearly 100 years. The rapid development of Chinese enterprises in the UK is inseparable from the historical background of the implementation of China’s “Going Global” strategy and the establishment of UK-China global comprehensive strategic partnership. For the past 20 years, Chinese investors are becoming more diversified, investment areas have widely expanded, investment volume has increased substantially,  companies’ level of localisation has greatly increased, and social responsibilities and green investment have been regarded as priority.  The successful experiences of Chinese businesses developing in the UK in the past two decades have shown an important fact: China-UK practical cooperation has great potential, which will bring tangible benefits to the society and people of the two countries. Although the UK-China relationship now facing some challenges, the trend of strengthening the economic and trade cooperation between the two countries can’t be reversed. We look forward to continuing to improve the dialogue, deepen collaboration, and create greater business opportunities for us all.

Pic. 3: Stephen Perry, Chairman of the 48 Group Club, delivers a speech

Stephen Perry, Chairman of the 48 Group Club, congratulated for the 20th anniversary exhibition of CCCUK and formally welcomed Ambassador Zheng and his wife’s arrival in the UK. He reflected that since the beginning, Chinese companies have grown to be a significant part of the British Economy providing jobs and capital. The 48 Group Club was there to help CCCUK grow to be a major influence in the British Economy. He believes that we are in the beginning of a new era in China-UK relations. China is at the core of Asian economy, its BRI initiative, Dual Circulation policy and expansion of the GBA will mean it will continue to play an increasingly important role in the East Asian centre. As the UK go towards CPTPP and RCEP, the UK will need to have a strong relationship with China. He expressed his interest in finding new ways of cooperation between the UK and China and shows how fortunate we are to have the new Ambassador here to lead us into the next phase of UK-China trade and relations.

Pic. 4: Sir Sherard Cowper-Coles KCMG LVO, Chair of China-Britain Business Council and

Group Head of Public Affairs, HSBC Holdings plc delivers a speech

Sir Sherard Cowper-Coles, Chairman of the China-Britain Business Council, said the 20 years of achievements by Chinese businesses in the UK are worthy of respect. He said that the growth of Chinese businesses shows the strong relationship between the UK and China. He highlighted that over the past 2 decades, Chinese exports grew by 892% and British exports by 900%. Nearly 130,000 jobs in the UK are dependent on trade links with China and that Chinese companies in the UK employ more than 75,000 people. The CBBC has always been committed to representing thousands of businesses that develop in the UK and will use its expertise to promote China-UK trade relations. He finishes by congratulating CCCUK on the 20 years of growth of trade ties between the UK and China and looks forward to working with CCCUK in opportunities in China-UK trade and relations.

Pic. 5: Ms. Bao Ling, Minister of the Chinese Embassy in the UK delivers a speech

Ms. Bao Ling, Minister of the Chinese Embassy in the UK spoke highly of the achievements of Chinese enterprises in the UK and expressed her appreciation to all employees of the Chinese companies and their families for their hard work and support. She said, in the past 20 years, China enterprises in the UK have made tremendous contributions to local jobs market, taxes, social economic development and China-UK cooperation with their perseverance and pioneering spirit. The achievements of Chinese enterprises are inseparable from the success in the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics, the steady and healthy development of China-UK relations and staunch commitment from both sides to mutually beneficial partnership. She hoped all Chinese enterprises would carry forward icebreakers spirit, strengthen confidence and forge ahead along with British colleagues and partners, for a new chapter in China-UK trade and economic cooperation.

Pic. 6: Speakers (group photo) witness together the video launch of “Online Exhibition of

Chinese Businesses’ Achievements in the UK”

Guests and audiences from the event gave high praise of the outstanding achievements of Chinese enterprises in the UK to promote the progression of China-UK relations and mutually beneficial economic and trade cooperation. Those who attended expressed complete confidence in the development of China-UK relations in the new era. Chinese and British business communities will actively leverage their respective advantages, build bridges of collaborations, create more fruitful results in the future, and continue to write a new chapter in UK-China win-win cooperation.