On the evening of 20th July 2018, the CCCUK and the 48 Group Club jointly held a farewell party for Minister Counsellor JIN Xu at Shangri-La Hotel London. SUN Yu, Chairman of the CCCUK and CEO of Bank of China (UK) Limited; Stephen Perry, Chairman of The 48 Group Club, and others attended the party and delivered their speeches. The event was attended by nearly 200 people, including Chinese and British politicians and business elites, representatives of the CCCUK members, and representatives from the 48 Group Club to send off Minister Counsellor JIN Xu who was about to leave office and return to China.

(The farewell party)

Over the past three and a half years since he was appointed Minister Counsellor of the Economic and Commercial Office in the UK, JIN Xu has been unremittingly committed to promoting the bilateral trade and investment between China and the UK, having contributed remarkably to the growth of trade between China and the UK. During his tenure, the trade between China and the UK grew at high rates; the heads of China and the UK visited each other’s nation; remarkable progresses were made in economic and trade cooperation thanks to the Golden Era of relation between the two nations; a chain of major collaborative projects were launched, implemented and rewarded under the Belt and Road Initiative. The main work of Hinkley Point Project C was commenced; the Yiwu-London China-Europe freight train reached London, which marked the start of all-land transport of logistics for the China-UK trade; the Royal Albert Terminal project at the Headquarters Base was officially brought into construction to provide a strong impetus for the development of East London; the applications of Agricultural Bank of China and Shanghai Pudong Development Bank for the London branch licenses were approved by the British regulators; Bank of China Private Banking Service Centre was officially brought into operation.

Minister Counsellor JIN Xu, has been offering careful guidance for the operation of the CCCUK, and concerned about the growth of Chinese enterprises in the UK; furthermore, he led the CCCUK to investigate the trade investment environment, interpret the economic & trade policies and industry dynamics, recommend & introduce cooperative opportunities, and organise other activities. Thanks to the guidance and direction from Minister Counsellor JIN Xu, the CCCUK began to approach systematization; its workflow system were improved, and its members expanded continually; various activities of economic and trade promotion, business exchanges, and work & entertainment for members actively organised in the UK constantly enhanced the CCCUK’s influence.

(Minister Counsellor JIN Xu at the farewell party)

During his three and a half years work in the UK, Minister Counsellor JIN Xu gained a lot of popularity with his personal charisma. His personal charisma was not only reflected in diplomatic and business occasions, but also won universal praise in the Chinese community in Britain. In addition to nearly 200 diplomatic events to participate in each year, he attended most of the events associated with the China-UK exchanges held in the Chinese community. As he was about to leave office and return to China, many farewell parties were held for him, they were all reluctant to part with him as if they were sending off an old friend. All farewell parties received enthusiastic support and active participation.

(The farewell party)

In the farewell party, SUN Yu, Chairman of the CCCUK and CEO of Bank of China (UK) Limited mentioned that Minister Counsellor JIN Xu’s enthusiasm for and dedication to advancing the China-UK economic and trade cooperation inspired us; moreover, we were grateful for the support and help from Minister Counsellor JIN Xu for the CCCUK activities. Chairman SUN Yu also said, “a Chinese proverb says that ‘Fixed bases always witness the circulation of forces.’ The 48 Group Club and the CCCUK were ‘fixed bases’. They continually strive to establish a mutually beneficial and win-win China-UK cooperative relation, and will keep on contributing to the Golden Era of the China-UK relation.”

Stephen Perry, Chairman of The 48 Group Club spoke highly of Minister Counsellor JIN Xu’s achievements during his term of office. According to him, economic and trade cooperation between nations bring peace; during his tenure, Minister Counsellor Jin further promoted the economic and trade exchanges and cooperation between China and the UK, having contributed to creating a brighter world. Chairman Perry also shared the scene of the first time he met Minister Counsellor Jin; at that time, Mr. Jin invited him to dinner, where he showed Perry his calligraphy works and patiently explained the meaning of each Chinese character. Since then, he has learned about Mr. Jin’s inside as a calligrapher and poet, not just as a diplomat. He also praised Minister Counsellor Jin’s efforts to link up people from different industries, enterprises and nations, thanked Mr. Jin for the introduction of the CCCUK by him to the 48 Group Club, and commended the positive changes brought by the CCCUK to London’s business community.

(Chairman Perry presenting the medal for the “Icebreakers Lifetime Achievement Award” to Minister Counsellor JIN Xu)

(Chairman SUN Yu presenting a commemorative silver plate to Minister Counsellor JIN Xu)

Then, the 48 Group Club delivered to Minister Counsellor JIN Xu the medal and trophy for the “Icebreakers Lifetime Achievement Award” to commend him for his contributions to the China-UK economic and trade cooperation. The CCCUK presented to Minister Counsellor Jin a commemorative silver plate printed with the logos of the 24 Standing Committee members of the CCCUK. WU Lin, Secretary-general of the CCCUK specially mentioned that the commemorative silver plate entrusted the gratitude of the CCCUK to Minister Counsellor Jin for his dedicated guidance for Chinese enterprises in the UK and his strong support for the operation of the CCCUK over the past three and a half years.

(Minister Counsellor JIN Xu waving goodbye to the guests)

After the award ceremony, Minister Counsellor Jin started his wonderful speech as expected. He invited a number of guests to the stage, recalling the past and saying a few parting words with smile; he expressed his gratitude and best wishes to the guests in that way. Minister Counsellor’s witty remarks brought about a lively atmosphere with continuous laughter. At the end of his speech, he said affectionately, “Thank you for your care and support for me, my family and the team of the Economic and Commercial Office, the Chinese Embassy in the UK over the past three and a half years.” At the subsequent cocktail party, the guests took pictures with Minister Counsellor Jin one after another, and the event ended in a cheerful and warm atmosphere.