China’s population is shrinking, creating challenges and opportunities for its economy and British businesses In 2022, China’s population fell for the first time in six decades, dropping from 1.4126 billion to 1.4118 billion, a decline of 850,000. This trend has accelerated, with losses of 2.08 million in 2023 and 1.39 million in 2024, according to China’s National Bureau of Statistics. The United Nations projects a further decline of 204 million …
Economy
The China-Britain Business Council’s latest Trade Tracker reveals steady growth in UK-China trade, with goods exports rising to £21.1 billion in 2024, showcasing the enduring strength of British businesses across regions In its eleventh edition, the CBBC Trade Tracker, released in June 2025, paints an optimistic picture of UK-China trade relations, underscoring the resilience and dynamic nature of this vital economic partnership. In 2024, a year marked by global economic …
China’s comprehensive 10-point monetary policy package, unveiled in May 2025, aims to stabilise financial markets and spur economic growth, offering new prospects for British businesses in a dynamic yet challenging landscape.
China’s updated 2025 Negative List for Market Access eases restrictions for British investors, opening doors in healthcare, education, and cultural sectors while introducing new oversight for tech industries.
For UK travellers heading to China, securing a local mobile phone SIM card can transform the experience, ensuring reliable connectivity to accessing maps, translation apps, and local services like WeChat, which are integral to daily life. While international roaming offers familiarity, the costs can be prohibitive, and many foreign apps, such as WhatsApp or Google, are inaccessible without a VPN due to China’s internet restrictions. A local SIM card not… …
China’s economic reforms have opened new doors for foreign investors, but restrictions remain in key sectors. Understanding the 2024 Negative List and regulatory nuances is crucial for British businesses eyeing the world’s second-largest market. China’s economic allure, with a projected GDP growth of around 5% for 2025, continues to draw global investors, including British firms seeking to tap its vast consumer base and innovation-driven markets. However, the country’s foreign investment… …
The Midlands is reinventing itself as a centre for green technology, life sciences, and digital innovation and attracting Chinese investment
As Trump’s tariff-based trade war with China continues, which Chinese cities are the most exposed? So far, coastal and border Chinese cities seem the most vulnerable to tariff risks, while inland provinces are emerging as resilient trade nodes As global trade frictions resurface, particularly with renewed threats of tariff escalation targeting Chinese exports, understanding the regional distribution of trade reliance across China becomes increasingly important. While China’s national export performance… …
From cotton mills to cutting-edge tech, the North West of England remains a cornerstone of the UK economy – now turbocharged by growing Chinese investment and innovation The North West of England has always been a land of reinvention. Once the beating heart of the Industrial Revolution, its cotton mills and shipyards powered Britain to global dominance. Today, this resilient region has evolved into a modern economic juggernaut, with a… …