On 13 February 2019, the Parliamentary China Group of the British Conservative Party, the Chinese Embassy in the UK and the CCCUK jointly hosted the breakfast meeting for the Conservative Party Parliamentary China Group at the Houses of Parliament. H.E. Ambassador LIU Xiaoming, FANG Wenjian, Chairman of the CCCUK and President of Bank of China London Branch, Clifton Brown, Chairman of the Parliamentary China Group of the British Conservative Party, et al. attended the meeting and delivered speeches. More than 60 people, including MPs from the House of Lords and the House of Commons, representatives of the CCCUK member enterprises, representatives of British enterprises, and representatives of the political circles, business circles and academic circles of China and the UK, were present at the meeting.

(Picture 1. H.E. Ambassador LIU Xiaoming delivering a keynote speech)

H.E. Ambassador LIU Xiaoming delivered a keynote speech titled the Three Dos and Three Don’ts（Three wants and three want-nots） in the China-UK Relation. According to him, the China-UK economic and trade cooperation has been remarkable over the past year; the bilateral trade stepped into a new phase; further progress was made in two-way investment; new highlights emerged in financial cooperation. Looking ahead, opportunities and challenges coexist in the China-UK relation. He emphasized it’s essential to persist in cooperation and openness and avoid the cold war mentality, the zero-sum game, and other closed and rigid situations so as to turn challenges into opportunities and forge the China-UK Global Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for the 21st Century. China and the UK were expected to cherish the achievements made in the Golden Era, eliminate external interferences, enhance the strategic mutual trust, deepen the pragmatic cooperation, thereby creating a bright future for China and the UK.

(Picture 2: FANG Wenjian, Chairman of the CCCUK and President of Bank of China London Branch delivering a speech)

FANG Wenjian, Chairman of the CCCUK and President of Bank of China London Branch stressed in his speech that China and the UK could take advantage of each other’s strengths and work together to meet challenges in view of the fact that the Brexit was volatile and the international trade protectionism was on the rise. Regardless of the outcome of Brexit, the CCCUK would keep on pursuing the concept of mutual benefit and win-win result, and strive to promote the China-UK economic and trade cooperation and enhance the mutual trust. It’s hoped that the British government would reach a Brexit deal as soon as possible and keep the economy open and inclusive so as to create a stable and predictable business environment, where China and the UK could make concerted efforts to resist the impact of trade protectionism. Furthermore, China and the UK were expected to seize the opportunity from the Belt and Road Initiative and intensify the pragmatic cooperation in economy and trade.

(Picture 3: Clifton Brown, Chairman of the Parliamentary China Group of the British Conservative Party delivering an acknowledgement)

First, Clifton Brown, Chairman of the Parliamentary China Group of the British Conservative Party expressed his thanks to Ambassador LIU for his speech, and to the guests for their enthusiastic speeches. Despite the fact that the UK is about to withdraw from the EU, he believed the broad prospects for development were evident with the efforts of all walks of life. China and the UK were expected to further strengthen their economic and cultural exchanges and reach a free trade agreement as soon as possible. In the end, he hoped that China and the UK would jointly safeguard international trade rules, properly resolve differences through peaceful dialogues, and contribute to creating an inclusive and fair social environment.

(Picture 4: The Breakfast Meeting)

At the (During the)meeting site, the participants had a positive and candid exchange. Besides, H.E. Ambassador LIU Xiaoming answered the audience’s questions regarding the Belt and Road Initiative, the China-UK trade, the export of agricultural products, the development of Xinjiang, the religious liberty, the ethnic policies of China, etc.