On the afternoon of October 24 2019, the CCCUK held its 2019 Full Member General Assembly in London, attended by 130 representatives of full members, including BAO Ling, Minister Counselor for the Economic and Commercial Affairs of the Chinese Embassy in the UK, CCCUK Chairman FANG Wenjian, Vice Chairman CAO Li and CHANG Yun. The assembly hailed the Second Council for its important contributions, and elected the third council member units. Guided by the purpose of strengthening organizational building and offering better services to members, the assembly explored how to better represent the interests of Chinese enterprises in the UK, safeguard their legitimate rights and interests, and promote China-UK business and investment cooperation.

Photo 1. 2019 Full Member General Assembly of the CCCUK

Chairman FANG, in his report on the 2018-2019 annual work of the CCCUK, briefed the assembly on the Chamber’s achievements and highlights in serving members, promoting Sino-UK business cooperation, strengthening communication with government agencies, and conducting diversified publicity. He thanked member companies for their fruitful achievements in the UK, and presented the blueprint of the CCCUK. In the future, the CCCUK will make constant efforts for improved service and expertise, and better integrate information and quality resources, he said. It will strengthen self-discipline, deepen compliance management, shoulder social responsibility, and contribute to the China-UK “Golden Era”, he added.

Photo 2. Work report by Chairman FANG at the assembly

Minister Counselor BAO Ling hailed member units of the second council for their contributions to the development of the CCCUK, to China-UK business cooperation, and to the healthy and orderly development of Chinese enterprises in the UK, congratulating the newly elected members of the third council. She said, as a growing number of Chinese enterprises are going global, the CCCUK will play an even more important and irreplaceable role. She hoped the CCCUK will focus on “one basis and four roles” in the future. Focus on one basis means for the CCCUK to Strengthen self-construction, improve the organizational structure, explore ways of market operation to improve its operational and support capability. As for the four roles, the first is to offer better services to enterprises, including targeted high-level consulting and training services, timely report of their appeal to the British government, strengthening service interaction with business associations, and creating a better external environment for enterprises. The second role is to strengthen self-discipline, guide enterprises to operate in accordance with laws and regulations, help raise their awareness of social responsibility and sharing with the locals, and build a good image of Chinese companies. The third is to play a better role as a bridge, promoting exchanges and cooperation with the British government, industry organizations and other sectors, and actively advising the government to create a good policy environment for the development of enterprises. The fourth is to tell China’s story well and publicize China’s new achievements in opening up, advance the development of the Belt and Road Initiative, and promote the growth of Chinese enterprises overseas. She hoped for the member units to take initiative, actively participate in the work of the CCUK, and contribute new strength to its development.

Photo 3. Minister Counselor BAO Ling delivers a speech

The assembly elected the third council consisting of a total of 27 new members. Minister Counsel BAO presented certificates to the elected third council member units.

Photo 4. Minister Counsel BAO presents certificates to the elected third council member units.

CHANG Yun, Vice President of CCCUK and General Representative of China Council for the Promotion of International Trade UK Representative Office, delivered a summary report on the finance of 2018. She said the CCCUK will make good financial arrangements to better service its members.

Vice President CAO Li presided over the award ceremony of the assembly, where winners of the essay competition themed “Celebration of the 70th anniversary of the Founding of the People’s Republic of China” were announced by him. Among the winners, 5 essays got first prize, 10 second prize, and 15 third prize. The essay competition received a large number of quality submissions from the member units, fully demonstrating the achievements of China-UK business cooperation and the highlights of the development of the member units.

Photo 5. Minister Counselor BAO Ling awards the certificate to the winners of the first prize

The assembly concluded in a positive, harmonious and warm atmosphere.

After the assembly, the first meeting of the third council was held to elect its chairman unit and five vice chairman units. FANG Wenjian, Governor of Bank of China London Branch, was elected the Chairman; HAN Ruixiang, President of Industrial and Commercial Bank of China London Branch, CAO Li, General Manager of China Telecom (Europe) Co., Ltd, CHANG Yun, Chief Representative of CCPIT UK Office, LUO Yizhou, General Manager of PetroChina International Business (London) Col., Ltd, and SONG Taotao, Managing Director of Greenland (UK) Investment Co., Ltd. were elected the Vice Chairman.

Minister Counselor BAO Ling was invited to the meeting, where she congratulated the newly elected council members and the new leadership. Amid rapid development of China and a changing world, the CCCUK should offer timely help for Chinese enterprises to seize opportunities and avoid risks, so that they can enjoy steady development in the UK. She stressed the importance of concerted efforts of the members. In particular, facing the complex and volatile external environment and uncertainties about Brexit, Chinese enterprises must unite to effectively respond to the situation, pursue common development, and register sustainable growth. The new Chairman FANG Wenjian vowed on behalf of the new council that the CCCUK will build on the achievements of the previous council for greater success.

At the meeting, the member units discussed the organizational structure of the industry committee, the development and expansion of the secretariat, and the strengthening and improvement of relevant functions, expressing their willingness to better serve the member enterprises and promote China-UK business cooperation. The meeting decided that a special meeting would be held in the near future to study and determine the programme and measures for the third council.