On June 5th, the “China (Hubei) – UK Trade and Investment Promotion Conference,” was successfully held in London. The event was hosted by the Hubei Provincial Department of Commerce and co-organized by the China Chamber of Commerce in the UK, the 48 Group Club, and the China-Britain Business Development Centre. Mr. Chen Huarong, Deputy Director of the Hubei Provincial Department of Commerce, Li Peng, Commercial Counsellor of the Economic and Commercial Office of the Chinese Embassy in the UK, Wu Lin, Secretary-General of the China Chamber of Commerce in the UK, and Keith Bennett, Vice Chairman of the 48 Group Club made remarks at the conference. Nearly 80 guests from the political and business communities of both China and the UK were present at the event, gathered to discuss and explore cooperation opportunities.

Fig1. Counselor Li Peng speaks at the China (Hubei) – UK Trade and Investment Promotion Conference in London on Wednesday.

Li Peng, the Economic and Commercial Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in the UK, warmly welcomed the visit of the Hubei delegation. He noted that although the current international situation is turbulent, opportunities and challenges coexist, and China-UK economic and trade cooperation has been steadily developing. China continues to implement its policy of reform and opening up and has fully lifted investment restrictions in the manufacturing sector, providing excellent opportunities for investment and development. Counsellor Li further emphasized that in recent years, in addition to continuing development in its traditional advantageous industries, Hubei Province has been vigorously promoting five emerging industries, thereby expanding its industrial advantages. Moreover, the operational launch of an important transportation hub, Ezhou Huahu International Airport, has provided further support for economic and trade activities. Counsellor Li pointed out that Hubei Province is showcasing its vast market and immense potential to the world with an open attitude, which fully demonstrates its firm determination and ongoing efforts in attracting investment. He hopes that the business communities of China and the UK can seize these opportunities, engage in deep dialogue and exchange, and establish dynamic partnerships.

Fig2. Chen Huarong, the Deputy Director of the Hubei Provincial Department of Commerce, speaks at Wednesday’s conference.

Chen Huarong, the Deputy Director of the Hubei Provincial Department of Commerce expressed gratitude for the support from the China Chamber of Commerce in the UK and for the participation of the attending entrepreneurs. He highlighted Hubei Province’s leading economic growth in China for 2023, emphasizing its robust industrial capabilities, strategic geographical advantages, excellent business environment, and rich scientific and educational resources. These attributes provide a solid foundation for high-level openness and investment attraction. He noted the significant industrial complementarity and market demand alignment between Hubei Province and the UK, underscoring the close trade exchanges and substantial cooperation potential. The operational launch of Ezhou Huahu International Airport has further shortened the time and space distance between Hubei and the UK, and the convenient digital services have created an express lane for international trade. He hopes that both sides will continue to deepen industrial cooperation in areas such as modern agriculture, high-end equipment, information management, and biomedicine, encouraging sustained investment in Hubei. Finally, he expressed the hope that China and the UK will jointly explore new cooperation opportunities, making new contributing to the enduring friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

Fig3. Ms. Wu Lin speaks at the China (Hubei) – UK Trade and Investment Promotion Conference in London on Wednesday

Wu Lin, Secretary-General of the China Chamber of Commerce in the UK, extended a warm welcome to the Hubei delegation and expressed sincere gratitude for the support from the Chinese Embassy in the UK. She pointed out that Hubei Province, as an important region in central China, not only boasts a rich historical and cultural heritage but also has strong economic capabilities. Wu Lin emphasized the vast potential for cooperation between Hubei and the UK in various sectors, such as automotive, pharmaceuticals, optoelectronic information, and e-commerce. She noted that the Chamber has maintained close interactions with Hubei Province, especially during the pandemic when it actively organized Chinese enterprises abroad to donate to the Wuhan Red Cross Society and provided substantial supplies to Huangshi, Hubei, in their joint effort to combat the pandemic. Additionally, the Chamber has kept close contact with local authorities in the UK and other chambers of commerce. As a bridge for cooperation and exchange between China and the UK, the Chamber is committed to promoting practical cooperation in various fields, assisting Chinese enterprises in “going global,” and fostering mutual advancement across the seas and mountains between China and the UK.

Fig4. Keith Bennett, Vice Chairman of the 48 Group Club, speaks at Wednesday’s conference.

Keith Bennett, Vice Chairman of the 48 Group Club, reflected on the past and looked ahead to the future in his speech. He acknowledged the enduring contributions of successive generations of “Icebreakers” to Sino-British friendship. Despite current geopolitical challenges, he asserted that these factors cannot hinder the deep-rooted cooperation between China and the UK. He highlighted the long-standing sister city relationship between Wuhan, Hubei, and Manchester, established in 1986. During the onset of the pandemic, Manchester promptly extended a letter of sympathy, demonstrating unity and mutual support in the joint fight against COVID-19. Bennett expressed his hope that Hubei, China, and the UK will continue to uphold the “Icebreaker” spirit, fostering further exchanges and cooperation to build a brighter future together.

Fig5. Over 80 participants joined the event on Wednesday

At the event, representatives from Hubei United Investment Group, Hubei International Trade Group, and Hubei International Economic and Technical Cooperation Co., Ltd. presented an overview of their companies and discussed the latest industry trends. UK-based companies Lotus Group and Ant Group’s WorldFirst also shared their experiences and success stories in international development with the attendees. A highlight of the event was the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Hubei International Trade Import and Export Company and the UK-China Cross-border E-commerce Overseas Exhibition Center. This agreement marks the start of a new chapter of cooperation and mutual benefit.

Fig6. VIP group photo

The 2024 “China (Hubei) – UK Trade and Investment Promotion Conference” offered UK investors valuable insights into the investment environment and development opportunities in Hubei Province, China. The event established a robust platform for Sino-British business cooperation, fostering active interactions and a lively atmosphere among the attendees. We believe that the joint efforts of the political and business circles of China and the UK will create opportunities for Hubei Province to attract more British companies and investors. This will also further promote pragmatic cooperation between China and the UK in the economic and trade fields, achieving mutual benefits and win-win results.