China-Britain Business Council (CBBC) Chair Sir Sherard Cowper-Coles and Chief Executive Andrew Seaton visited China from 20-29 November, their second trip to the country in 2023. Their visit covered Shenzhen, Shanghai, Jiangsu province, and Beijing and included a range of meetings with senior Chinese Government officials, as well as events to engage with CBBC Members and stakeholders across China.
Meetings and Events in the Greater Bay Area (GBA)
For the first stop of the visit, Sir Sherard met with Shenzhen Party Secretary Meng Fangli on Monday, 20 November.
Meng Fanli welcomed Sir Sherard and the delegation and gave a brief overview of Shenzhen’s social and economic development. He said that he hopes CBBC will continue to serve as a bridge, establish closer ties with Shenzhen in areas like trade, investment, finance, technology and culture, and encourage interactions between cities, businesses, institutions, and more.
Sir Sherard expressed optimism about Shenzhen’s remarkable development over the past 40 years, saying: “CBBC is committed to utilising its advantages to help British businesses gain a better understanding of Shenzhen.”
Sir Sherard conducting a meeting with the Tencent team in Europe and China
Later the same day, Sir Sherard and Andrew Seaton visited Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science & Technology Innovation Zone with Huang Wei, Party Secretary of Futian District, and before engaging in a discussion with Henry Rong, Associate Director, I&T Ecosystem Development Greater Bay Area of Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP), accompanied by Zhu Jiang, Deputy District Governor of the Shenzhen Futian District People’s Government. Sir Sherard then toured the Tencent Exhibition Hall and conducted a meeting with the Tencent team in Europe and China.
Sir Sherard speaking at the welcome dinner for the UK-GBA conference
In the evening, CBBC hosted the Welcome Dinner for the UK-GBA Conference with over 50 attendees from the governments and businesses of the UK and China. During the dinner, Sir Sherard highlighted that “the British business community is watching the development of the GBA with huge interest, considering it to be an important driver for their China operations.”
On Tuesday, 21 November, CBBC hosted the inaugural UK-GBA Conference in Shenzhen in collaboration with the Qianhai International Talent Hub. The event saw the participation of over 200 delegates and provided a platform for more than 40 speakers, including senior representatives from the British Government, GBA local governments, and senior representatives from British and Chinese companies based in the UK, cities in the Chinese mainland, and Hong Kong.
Andrew Seaton speaking at the UK-GBA Conference
In his opening remarks, Sir Sherard emphasised the abundant opportunities in the GBA. While acknowledging the challenges of establishing a major economic hub, he emphasised CBBC’s role in providing a platform for members to share their vision of the future of the GBA, saying, “CBBC has designed this conference to enhance understanding and awareness of opportunities and challenges, whether for UK business in the GBA or GBA companies looking to invest in the UK.”
Meetings and Events in the Yangtze River Delta
Sir Sherard meeting with Shanghai Vice Mayor Xie Dong
On the first day of the delegation’s visit to Shanghai on Wednesday, 22 November, Sir Sherard met with Shanghai Vice Mayor Xie Dong.
During the meeting, Sir Sherard emphasised CBBC’s determination to maintain a healthy and stable bilateral trade link and expressed CBBC’s dedication to collaborating with Shanghai under the MoU signed with InvestSH.
Subsequently, Sir Sherard and the delegation visited Fosun, a premium member of CBBC, where they were hosted by Thomas Tam, Co-Chairman of GreaterYuGarden Commercial Properties Group.
The UK Investment Roundtable brought together a group of existing and potential Chinese investors in the UK
Continuing their visit, CBBC hosted the UK Investment Roundtable, aiming to gain insights from Chinese investors on the UK as an investment destination. Additionally, CBBC shared how it and its members can support Chinese investors in doing business in the UK. Attendees included Chinese investors Fosun, Nanjing Jufeng, Yigu Tech and Zero Carbon System, along with CBBC members DLA Piper, Deloitte, PwC, and KPMG.
Cutting the ribbon on CBBC’s new Shanghai office
Sir Sherard and Andrew Seaton also cut the ribbon on CBBC’s new Shanghai office in the Oriental Center next door to Taikoohui on Nanjing West Road alongside Dame Caroline Wilson, HM Ambassador; Matt Burney, British Consul-General Shanghai; Zhu Yi, Deputy Director of the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce; Duncan Clark, Vice Chair, CBBC; and Tom Simpson, Managing Director, China, CBBC.
The following morning, on Thursday, 23 November, Andrew Seaton departed for Ningbo and visited the future factory of Orient Cable and explored ways to support Orient Cable’s growth in the UK.
Sir Sherard meeting with Jiangsu Provincial Governor Xu Kunlin (image captured from video recorded by Jiangsu Television)
Also on Thursday, 23 November, Sir Sherard met with Jiangsu Provincial Governor Xu Kunlin. The meeting was joined by Lu Deming, Secretary General of Jiangsu province, and Matt Burney, British Consul General in Shanghai.
Xu Kunlin welcomed Sir Sherard and the delegation and expressed appreciation for CBBC’s support of Jiangsu and the UK’s trade and economic cooperation. Xu hopes for more British investment and business expansion in Jiangsu, especially in fields like scientific innovation, financial services, green energy and the digital economy.
Sir Sherard recognised Jiangsu’s economic strength and positive growth momentum. He stressed that CBBC and its members will continue to seek out opportunities in Jiangsu.
Sir Sherard meeting Suzhou Party Secretary Liu Xiaotao
Sir Sherard also met with Suzhou Party Secretary Liu Xiaotao. The meeting was joined by Ji Jing, Vice Mayor of Suzhou.
Liu recognised the solid foundation and significant potential in economic and trade cooperation between Suzhou and the UK. He hoped that CBBC will continue to play its role as a bridge, inviting more multinational companies to expand their investment in Suzhou. Suzhou expects a stronger presence of British companies and encourages them to launch new goods, technologies and projects in the city.
Sir Sherard highlighted that Suzhou is a beautiful and prosperous city by the water that offers a favourable business environment and abundant opportunities.
Sir Sherard meeting Nanjing Party Secretary Han Liming
On Friday, 24 November, Sir Sherard met with Nanjing Party Secretary Han Liming. It was agreed that both parties would continue to work together in the areas of finance, telecommunications, and the chemical industry while looking for new opportunities to collaborate in trade, technology, culture & tourism, biomedicine, digital economy and green energy. Since the founding of CBBC’s Nanjing office in 2004, CBBC has supported British companies operating in Nanjing as well as Nanjing companies growing internationally.
Meetings and Events in Beijing
Group photo of senior representatives of CBBC and member companies in front of the Great Hall of the People
On Monday, 27 November, Sir Sherard, met with Vice Premier He Lifeng at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. They discussed international cooperation in supply chains, as well as UK-China economic and trade cooperation.
Vice Premier He Lifeng said that China is dedicated to opening up and development. It is hoped that CBBC will continue to leverage its advantages to enhance trade and economic cooperation between the two countries. Sir Sherard echoed this sentiment, saying: “CBBC welcomes the opportunity to meet with Vice Premier and discuss British trade and investment with China. CBBC will continue to provide a platform for engagement between British business and our partners in Government and business here in China.”
Sir Sherard and Andrew Seaton meeting Li Yunze, Minister of the National Financial Regulatory Administration (NFRA)
Sir Sherard also met with Li Yunze, Minister of the National Financial Regulatory Administration (NFRA) at their office in Beijing. The discussion covered market access for foreign financial institutions, pensions and asset management, wealth management, the prospect of continued regulatory liberalisation, and green and sustainable finance.
Sir Sherard also met with Jin Zhuanglong, Minister of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) to discuss topics including digitalisation, AI, new energy vehicles, and green transition. During the meeting, Sir Sherard and Jin Zhuanglong reflected on the outcomes of CBBC and MIIT’s collaboration under the framework of the first UK-China Industrial Cooperation Dialogue (ICD) in critical areas of new technologies.
Cutting the ribbon on CBBC’s new Beijing office
While in Beijing on 27 November, Sir Sherard and Andrew Seaton officially opened CBBC’s new Beijing office at an event alongside Geraldine McCafferty, Deputy Head of Mission, British Embassy Beijing; Yang Song, Deputy Director-General, China Economic Cooperation Center (CECC); Tang Yonghong, Deputy Director-General, Invest Beijing; Zhou Xiaoyan, Vice President, China Council for International Investment Promotion (CCIIP); and Tom Simpson, Managing Director, China, CBBC. After 20 years in the China Life Tower, the CBBC Beijing office has relocated to Guanghua Soho II in Guomao.
Sir Sherard giving a speech at the opening ceremony of the China International Supply Chain Expo
On Tuesday, 28 November, Sir Sherard attended and spoke at the inaugural China International Supply Chain Expo & Global Supply Chain Innovation and Development Forum. In his speech at the opening ceremony, Sir Sherard said: “Building a stable, secure, and smooth worldwide industrial supply chain system represents the common aspiration of global businesses and it is the shared responsibility of the international community. I am delighted that UK-China relations are once again starting to flourish, with ministerial visits resuming – I am confident that we will see more engagement at all levels over the coming year.”
Image sources:
- Lead article image captured from this video recorded by CCTV 1
- Image of Sir Sherard meeting Jiangso Governor Xu Kunlin captured from this video recorded by Jiangsu Television
