China-Britain Business Council (CBBC) Chair Sir Sherard Cowper-Coles and Chief Executive Peter Burnett, accompanied by a delegation of member companies, visited China for the second time this year from 18 November to 27 November. Below is a summary of the visit covering each of the five legs in Chengdu, Chongqing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Beijing.
CBBC Attends Meeting with Premier Li Qiang
Premier Li Qiang attended a meeting hosted by CCPIT with representatives from businesses and organisations participating in the second China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE) on Monday, 25 November in Beijing. Sir Sebastian Wood, Chair (China) at Schroders and board member of CBBC, attended the meeting.
Government Meetings
During the visit, Sir Sherard and the delegation engaged with senior government officials at the ministerial and provincial levels.
Second UK-Greater Bay Area Conference
CBBC hosted the second UK-Greater Bay Area Conference in Shenzhen on Friday, 22 November. The event brought together over 200 delegates, including senior representatives from the British Government, local governments across the Greater Bay Area (GBA), as well as senior representatives from British and Chinese companies based in the UK, cities in the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong and Macao.
Peter Burnett welcomed the guests and reaffirmed, “The relationship between the UK and the Greater Bay Area is poised to flourish in the coming years.” He introduced the inaugural UK-Greater Bay Area Handbook and invited the guests to explore the rich opportunities presented in this Guide, which will serve as a valuable resource for understanding the potential that lies ahead.
Sir Sherard Cowper-Coles underscored the significance of the Greater Bay Area (GBA), which brings together nine of the most economically vibrant cities in Guangdong province and the two Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and Macao. He stated: “The GBA’s ambitions resonate strongly with the UK’s expertise in financial services, creative industries, and innovation. British companies are uniquely positioned to bring their strengths to this dynamic region, and the international capabilities of Hong Kong serve as an invaluable gateway to accessing the wider Chinese market. At the China-Britain Business Council, we are committed to nurturing these partnerships. We strive to provide UK businesses with the insights, networks, and strategic support they need to navigate the complexities of the GBA and to thrive in this competitive landscape.”
For a full recap of the CBBC Chair’s visit to China, please visit cbbc.org/news-insights
