On 18 March 2026, the 8th China-UK Economic and Trade Forum, themed “United in Momentum, Deepening Collaboration for a Shared Future” was successfully held at Merchant Taylors’ Hall in London. The forum was hosted by the China Chamber of Commerce in the UK (CCCUK), with special support from the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the United Kingdom and the UK Department for Business and Trade (DBT). The event also received strong support from a number of leading UK institutions, including the China-Britain Business Council (CBBC), the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), the Great Britain-China Centre (GBCC), The 48 Group, the Institute of Directors (IoD) and the China UK Business Development Centre.

Distinguished speakers at the forum included H.E. ZHENG Zeguang, Chinese Ambassador to the UK; Lucy Rigby KC MP, Economic Secretary to the Treasury at HM Treasury; the Lady Mayor of the City of London; and FANG Wenjian, Chairman of CCCUK and General Manager of Bank of China London Branch.

The forum was convened against the important backdrop of the UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s successful visit to China earlier this year, the continued strengthening of high-level China-UK engagement, the opening year of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan, and the policy signals on further high-level opening-up released during China’s annual “Two Sessions.” The forum brought together approximately 400 representatives from government, business, finance and academia from both countries to explore new space, new pathways and new opportunities for China-UK economic and trade cooperation under evolving global circumstances.

Keynote Speech by H.E. ZHENG Zeguang, Chinese Ambassador to the UK

H.E. ZHENG Zeguang, Chinese Ambassador to the United Kingdom, delivered a keynote speech comprehensively outlining the direction of China’s economic development and the prospects for China-UK economic and trade cooperation. He called on both sides to deepen pragmatic cooperation amid the complex international landscape and to achieve mutual benefit and win-win outcomes.

Ambassador Zheng noted that China is deeply concerned about the tensions in the Middle East. He stated that the current war is one that should not have occurred and is of no benefit to any party. The use of force by the United States and Israel against Iran without authorisation from the United Nations clearly violates international law. The sovereignty, security and territorial integrity of all countries should be respected. China does not support attacks on Gulf countries and condemns all indiscriminate attacks on civilians and non-military targets. China calls for an immediate cessation of military operations to prevent further escalation and spillover, and urges a return to the track of political settlement through negotiations. China will continue to strengthen communication with all relevant parties, including those directly involved in the conflict, and play a constructive role in easing tensions and restoring peace.

Ambassador Zheng also focused on introducing the key messages and outcomes of China’s annual “Two Sessions,” noting that the meetings have once again sent a clear signal to the world: China will remain firmly committed to advancing high-quality development, steadily achieving its set development goals, continuously injecting stability and certainty into the world through its own development, and serving as a steadfast force in promoting global peace, stability and development. The “Two Sessions” reviewed and approved the Government Work Report and the Outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan, setting out key tasks for economic and social development this year and outlining a development blueprint for the next five years. As 2026 marks the opening year of the 15th Five-Year Plan, China will focus on achieving the main anticipated targets identified in the Government Work Report, advancing key priorities including building a strong domestic market, fostering and strengthening new growth drivers, further expanding high-level opening-up, and accelerating comprehensive green transformation, thereby ensuring a strong start to the implementation of the Plan.

Ambassador Zheng stated that the implementation of the 15th Five-Year Plan will bring new opportunities to countries around the world and open up new space for China-UK economic and trade cooperation. Both sides should prioritise the effective implementation of the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries and the outcomes of Prime Minister Starmer’s visit to China, firmly grasp the overarching direction of developing a long-term, stable and comprehensive strategic partnership, strengthen high-level and multi-level exchanges, carry forward a new round of institutional dialogue, and ensure that the more than 20 cooperation agreements signed by governments, institutions and enterprises are effectively implemented. At the same time, both sides should adopt a broad historical perspective, uphold mutual respect, properly manage differences, and strive to maintain the stable momentum of China-UK relations. He emphasised that economic and trade cooperation serves as both the ballast and the driving force of bilateral relations. The more turbulent the world becomes, the more China and the UK should strengthen cooperation. He expressed the hope that the business communities of both countries would make joint efforts in expanding trade in goods, enhancing trade in services, consolidating two-way investment and broadening cooperation in third-party markets, so as to achieve mutual benefit and better serve the interests of the two peoples. He also expressed the expectation that the China Chamber of Commerce in the UK and the business communities of both countries would make new contributions to promoting enterprise exchanges and advancing bilateral cooperation.

Keynote Speech by Lucy Rigby KC MP, Economic Secretary to the Treasury, HM Treasury

Lucy Rigby KC MP, Economic Secretary to the Treasury at HM Treasury, stated at the forum that against the backdrop of increasing global uncertainty, the UK and China share broad common interests in promoting economic growth and maintaining market stability. She noted that China has long been an important engine of global growth and is the UK’s third-largest trading partner, with bilateral trade exceeding £113 billion, while Chinese investment in the UK continues to grow.

She said that the UK Government is committed to deepening cooperation with China on the premise of ensuring security and resilience. By strengthening dialogue mechanisms and policy communication, it aims to create a more stable and predictable business environment for enterprises. She emphasised that financial services represent a key area of cooperation between the two sides, and that the UK will continue to leverage its strengths as a global financial centre to advance collaboration in areas such as green transition, the digital economy and financial innovation. At the same time, positive progress has been made through measures including the resumption of the Economic and Financial Dialogue and the establishment of a financial working group.

Looking ahead, she noted that the UK welcomes Chinese enterprises to expand investment in the country and looks forward to further deepening economic, trade and financial cooperation on the basis of mutual benefit and win-win outcomes, jointly addressing global challenges and achieving sustainable growth.

Keynote Speech by Dame Susan Langley DBE, Lady Mayor of City of London

Dame Susan Langley DBE, Lady Mayor of the City of London, stated at the forum that the City of London attaches great importance to China-UK economic and trade relations and has long actively participated in and supported bilateral exchanges and cooperation. She noted that more than 40 major Chinese financial institutions have already established operations in London, becoming an important part of the local financial ecosystem. London is also the largest offshore renminbi trading centre and has taken the lead in supporting the overseas issuance of Chinese sovereign bonds and green bonds, providing a solid foundation for two-way investment and financial innovation.

She emphasised that in a complex global environment, London’s openness, stability and high regulatory standards provide a safe and reliable platform for China-UK cooperation. Through mechanisms such as the China-UK Green Finance Working Group, both sides are advancing the development of green and sustainable finance and jointly guiding capital to support high-quality growth. She added that London will continue to play a bridging role in promoting connectivity between the two countries’ capital markets, deepening cooperation in finance and innovation, and fostering long-term, stable and mutually beneficial cooperation. She also revealed that she will visit China again in the near future to further strengthen China-UK financial cooperation and market connectivity.

Welcome Remarks by FANG Wenjian, Chairman of CCCUK, General Manager of Bank of China London Branch

FANG Wenjian, Chairman of the China Chamber of Commerce in the UK and General Manager of Bank of China London Branch, delivered welcome remarks at the forum, extending his greetings and appreciation to the distinguished guests in attendance. He noted that the United Kingdom has long been an important advocate of free trade and that China-UK economic and trade exchanges have a long history, dating back several centuries when goods, culture and ideas were exchanged through maritime commerce.

He stated that bilateral cooperation continues to expand across a wide range of areas, from British-branded bicycles entering the Chinese market, to Chinese electric vehicles appearing on UK roads, to cultural and consumer brands from both sides gaining increasing popularity in each other’s markets. China-UK cooperation is thus showing a growing trend towards greater diversity, breadth and depth. Fang pointed out that both countries are currently at critical stages of their respective development. China has recently formally reviewed and adopted the outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan, while the UK has previously introduced its modern industrial strategy. With strong economic complementarities, the potential for cooperation between the two sides remains substantial. He added that UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s recent visit to China has further sent positive signals for strengthening dialogue and exchanges and advancing pragmatic cooperation.

Against the backdrop of rising geopolitical tensions, economic fragmentation and increasing protectionism, Fang emphasised that China and the UK, as influential economies, should jointly uphold openness, support multilateralism and enhance confidence in global markets. He underscored that the business community serves as an important bridge connecting the two countries and should work to translate the current positive momentum into concrete projects and tangible cooperation outcomes, thereby promoting China-UK economic and trade cooperation towards a more stable and dynamic future.

Two thematic panel sessions were established as part of the forum.

Panel I: “China’s New Opportunities: New Quality Productive Forces Opening Up New Prospects for China-UK Cooperation”. The first panel focused on China’s new round of economic restructuring, AI-enabled industrial development, and the construction of free trade zones and free trade ports. Speakers included John Edwards, Director at the UK Office for Investment; Wang Wen, Dean of the Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies and the Global Leadership Academy at Renmin University of China; Will Butler-Adams OBE, CEO of Brompton Bicycle; and Lu Min, Director General of the Hainan International Economic Development Bureau, Member of the Party Leadership Group of the Hainan Provincial Department of Commerce.

Speech by John Edwards, Director, Office for Investment, Department for Business and Trade

John Edwards, Director at the UK Office for Investment, noted that China and the UK should deepen pragmatic cooperation within the framework of their respective development strategies in order to advance the sustained development of bilateral economic and trade relations. He began by expressing his appreciation for the contributions made by the China Chamber of Commerce in the UK in promoting China-UK economic and trade ties, and commended the business community for its long-standing commitment to public affairs. He further observed that, although China’s 15th Five-Year Plan and the UK’s modern industrial strategy differ in background, the two demonstrate clear alignment in key areas including artificial intelligence, future communications, bioengineering, clean energy and quantum technology.

John Edwards emphasised that although certain frontier technologies involve security and competitive considerations, there remains substantial scope for cooperation between the two sides in areas such as life sciences and clean energy. He noted that the UK scientific community holds China’s rapid progress and innovative capabilities in these fields in high regard.

He highlighted two key directions for future cooperation. The first is trade in services. With the UK’s service sector accounting for around 80 per cent of its economy and China’s service consumption demonstrating significant growth potential, imports by China of professional, digital and financial services are expected to increase markedly over the next decade and beyond, presenting important opportunities for UK businesses. The two sides have already signed a services trade cooperation agreement covering sectors including finance, legal services, education, the digital economy and tourism, while also promoting mutual recognition of qualifications and improved market access.

The second area is two-way investment. Edwards noted that China’s continued efforts to expand high-level opening-up and advance institutional opening will create more favourable conditions for UK companies seeking to enter the Chinese market. At the same time, a growing number of Chinese enterprises are choosing the UK as a hub for their European and global operations, with investment focusing on sectors such as electric vehicles, batteries and life sciences. The UK welcomes such investment and is committed to advancing research and development collaboration as well as strengthening industrial supply chains.

In conclusion, he pointed out that although China-UK relations have experienced fluctuations, the development strategies of both countries provide a stable foundation for long-term cooperation. Both sides should take this as a blueprint and translate their shared vision for cooperation into concrete outcomes.

Speech by WANG Wen, Dean of the Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies and the Global Leadership Academy,  Renmin University of China

WANG Wen, Dean of the Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies and the Global Leadership Academy, Renmin University of China, delivered keynote remarks centred on the theme “What China Will Bring to the UK by 2035.” He noted that China has demonstrated a high degree of policy continuity and development certainty through long-term planning. As a national development vision, the “Chinese Dream” is being steadily advanced through the sustained efforts of successive generations, with the future development pathway further clarified in the 15th Five-Year Plan.

Wang stated that 2026, as the opening year of the 15th Five-Year Plan, represents a critical stage in China’s journey towards basically realising socialist modernisation by 2035. According to the plan’s targets, China’s per capita GDP is expected to reach the level of moderately developed countries by 2035, effectively doubling from current levels. This process, he noted, will not only profoundly reshape China’s economic structure but also have a significant impact on the global economic landscape. Looking ahead, Wang analysed prospects across multiple dimensions: economic, social, cultural, ecological and technological, and pointed out that by 2035 China is expected to become the world’s largest economy, with a more comprehensive social security system, markedly improved living standards, fully advanced green development and continuously strengthened technological innovation capacity. At the same time, China will firmly advance reform and opening-up, further enhance institutional opening and create broader space for global cooperation.

Addressing opportunities for China-UK cooperation, Wang emphasised that China’s development will continue to generate trillion-dollar-scale market opportunities through three key engines: institutional opening, high-quality development and new quality productive forces. China is expected to become the world’s largest consumer market, providing broad opportunities for high-quality British products. Its advanced manufacturing system and technological innovation ecosystem will offer an important platform for bilateral cooperation in areas such as artificial intelligence, healthcare and high-end manufacturing. The green and low-carbon transition will create substantial cooperation demand, while the continued opening of China’s financial market will bring new development opportunities for UK financial institutions. He also noted that amid rising uncertainty in the global economic environment, institutional differences and intensifying competition, China–UK cooperation still faces certain challenges. However, China’s long-term stable policy framework and development trajectory provide businesses with a strong degree of predictability. Wang concluded by stating that China-UK relations are currently in a phase of renewed momentum, and both sides should seize the development opportunities presented by the 15th Five-Year Plan, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation and work towards ushering China-UK economic and trade relations into a new “golden era.”

Speech by Will Butler-Adams, CEO of Brompton Bicycle

Will Butler-Adams OBE, Chief Executive Officer of Brompton Bicycle, stated in his remarks that the core of business development lies not only in scale and investment, but also in creating a sense of “wellbeing” for society. He noted that companies continue to engage in cross-border cooperation in the hope of generating a broader positive impact, while the pandemic has further underscored the importance of global collaboration.

Drawing on the company’s practical experience, he reviewed Brompton’s development journey since entering the Chinese market in 2006, emphasising that businesses should step out of the office, engage directly with the market and understand consumers, exploring opportunities by starting on a small scale and gradually learning through trial and error. He stated that the company has consistently adhered to a long-term approach and a customer-oriented strategy, beginning in a single city and progressively building its brand foundation, with early users playing a crucial role in shaping the brand.

Butler-Adams pointed out that the Chinese market holds enormous potential and that consumers are mature and rational. After years of development, China has become Brompton’s largest market globally. In his view, China is not as complex or difficult to enter as often perceived; rather, it offers advantages of strong market cohesion and significant room for growth, making it suitable for flexible business expansion. He added that UK companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, should more actively explore opportunities in the Chinese market, and noted that the UK Prime Minister’s recent visit to China has injected new momentum into bilateral economic and trade cooperation.

Speech by LU Min, Director General of the Hainan International Economic Development Bureau, Member of the Party Leadership Group of the Hainan Provincial Department of Commerce

LU Min, Director General of the Hainan International Economic Development Bureau, delivered video remarks outlining the latest progress and cooperation opportunities following the commencement of island-wide customs closure operations at the Hainan Free Trade Port. As China’s only free trade port, Hainan officially launched these operations in December 2025, marking an important step in the country’s advancement of high-level opening-up. Following the customs closure, Hainan has introduced institutional arrangements characterised by “zero tariffs, low tax rates and greater freedom,” facilitating trade, investment and cross-border capital flows.

Lu noted that Hainan enjoys a prominent geographical advantage, connecting the two major markets of China and ASEAN. Supported by an extensive international aviation network that reaches across the Asia-Pacific region and globally, the province provides an important platform for enterprises seeking to expand into new markets. With policy support in place, businesses can benefit from preferential measures including zero-tariff imports, tax exemptions on value-added processing, and the freer movement of cross-border capital.

He also highlighted cooperation potential in the consumption sector, noting that as an international tourism and consumption centre, Hainan is home to the world’s largest duty-free shopping market and China’s most generous offshore duty-free policies. Through platforms such as the China International Consumer Products Expo, Hainan offers an efficient gateway for international brands to enter the Chinese market. Lu further observed that the UK holds strengths in areas including consumer goods, professional services, green finance and the digital economy, presenting broad prospects for cooperation with Hainan. He also invited UK enterprises to participate in the sixth China International Consumer Products Expo to share in the development opportunities of the Free Trade Port.

Panel of “Connectivity and Shared Growth: Success Stories in China-UK Investment Cooperation”

The second panel discussion was held under the theme “Connectivity and Shared Growth: Success Stories in China-UK Investment Cooperation.” Representatives from government research institutions, the business community and local governments shared typical cases and practical experiences of China–UK cooperation. Participants in the discussion included Cllr Nick Small, Cabinet Member for Growth and Economy at Liverpool City Council; Su Wang, Vice President of JD Group; Sir Andrew Cahn KCMG, Advisory Board of the UK National Committee on China and Board member, Institute for Government; David Britton, Modality Manager, PMLS of Mindray UK; and Wu Jing, Finance controller of BYD UK.

During the second panel discussion, speakers engaged in in-depth exchanges on successful practices in China–UK economic and trade cooperation, with a particular focus on topics such as technological innovation, digital transformation and cross-border investment cooperation. Experts noted that against the backdrop of global economic volatility and evolving policy environments, companies face new uncertainties in their cross-border development. However, the foundations of China–UK economic and trade cooperation remain solid, with clear complementary advantages. Both sides continue to enjoy broad cooperation potential in areas including green energy, cross-border e-commerce, medical technology and advanced manufacturing.

Drawing on their practical experience of operating in the UK, business representatives shared insights into enhancing market competitiveness through technological innovation, sustained strategic investment and localised operations. They also emphasised the importance of compliant business practices and the development of digital capabilities in improving supply chain efficiency and strengthening market resilience.

In addition, experts highlighted that strengthening industrial coordination, promoting talent exchanges and continuously optimising the business environment will help attract more high-quality investment projects. These exchanges have provided valuable perspectives and sustained momentum for deepening pragmatic cooperation between China and the UK and for expanding new space for economic and trade collaboration.

Group Photo of Distinguished Guests at the 8th China-UK Economic and Trade Forum

As the flagship branded event of the China Chamber of Commerce in the UK, the China-UK Economic and Trade Forum has been successfully held for eight consecutive editions since its inception, continuously promoting high-level dialogue and cooperation between the business communities of both countries. This year’s forum has further consolidated mutual consensus on open cooperation and laid a more solid foundation for coordinated development between China and the UK amid a new round of global economic transformation.