Head of State Diplomacy | Continuing the Story of China UK Friendship and Cooperation with the Foresight and Courage of "Breaking the Ice"

"I hope that people of insight from all walks of life in China and Britain will inherit the ice-breaking spirit of foresight, open cooperation, and daring to be the first, strive to open up a new situation of win-win cooperation, promote the construction of an open world economy, and make greater contributions to the promotion of China-UK friendly cooperation." President Xi Jinping said this when he sent a congratulatory letter to the 70th anniversary of the Sino-British trade "ice-breaking journey.

70 years ago, knowledgeable individuals in the British business community broke the ice of ideology and embarked on a "journey of breaking the ice" in Sino British trade. For the past 70 years, the spirit of breaking the ice, representing foresight and courage, has been passed down from generation to generation, not only pushing China UK trade cooperation to new heights, but also bearing fruit in more fields of exchange and cooperation.

Open Cooperation - "Ice Breaking Spirit" Leaps Across Times

"Seventy years ago, British entrepreneurs represented by Mr. Jack Perry keenly saw the bright prospects of New China and the great potential of Sino-British cooperation, broke the ideological ice with fearless courage and courage, and took the lead in opening up Sino-British trade. Channel of exchange." President Xi Jinping spoke highly of the "ice-breaking journey" in his congratulatory letter.

In 1953, at the invitation of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, Jack Perry, then Chairman of the London Export Company, and 15 other representatives of the British business community broke through the heavy blockade imposed by the West on New China and achieved their visit to China. This visit has opened up the "ice layer" of Western countries' trade with China. The delegation was warmly welcomed in China and signed a trade arrangement agreement worth £ 30 million with the Chinese government.

This is the first trade agreement signed between the Western business community and New China. Jack Perry called it a "historic breakthrough". "We are all very excited," this "ice breaker" once described his mood in his memoir. The following year, he participated in the establishment of the UK's first trade group with China, the 48 UK China Trade Groups, which built a bridge for UK China trade.

Starting from the journey of breaking the ice, the trade between China and the UK has been continuously developing, now exceeding billions of dollars. The vast scope of cooperation between China and the UK, as well as the deepening of interest integration, is not only beneficial to the people of both countries, but also to world peace and development.

On February 8th, Stephen Perry, the chairman of 48 group clubs in the UK, delivered a speech at the 2023 Spring Festival celebration held in London.

In today's world, multiple challenges are intertwined and overlapping, and economic globalization is facing a backlash. It is more important and necessary to break through the "ice" of protectionism, the "ice" of outdated thinking, the "ice" of rigid confrontation, and inherit the "ice breaking spirit".

Stephen Perry, son of Jack Perry and current chairman of 48 British group clubs, told reporters that on the occasion of commemorating the 70th anniversary of the "ice-breaking journey", President Xi Jinping's congratulatory letter emphasized "the message I most look forward to hearing".

"The longer the time span, the more we can see how far sighted the 'ice breaker' was in the beginning. This vision and courage drove progress in cooperation during difficult times back then. This is also what we need today," said Keith Bennett, Vice Chairman of 48 Group Clubs in the UK.

"Breaking the ice means melting the ice and merging it into a river of cooperation," Bennett said. "I think we should stand on the shoulders of our predecessors and strive to achieve what they have achieved."

Continuing the Frontline - China UK Cooperation to Explore New Prospects

The chairman of the China UK Trade Association, Gu Peiqin, told reporters that the delegation of the association recently visited China again and was very excited, "just like old friends continuing their relationship and falling in love at first sight.".

According to a recent report released by the British Chamber of Commerce in China, 86% of British companies are optimistic about the long-term potential of the Chinese market. According to data released by the Chinese Ministry of Commerce in June, actual investment in China by the UK increased by 179.2% year-on-year from January to May this year.

In his view, compared to 70 years ago, there is now a broader consensus in the UK business community to support deepening economic and trade cooperation between the UK and China. The potential for cooperation between the UK and China is enormous. In addition to economic and trade cooperation, both sides can deepen cooperation in various fields such as education, health, financial services, renewable energy, new energy vehicles, and addressing the challenges of an aging society.

On May 25th, in London, UK, representatives of organizations and enterprises such as the China UK Trade Association and HSBC signed a letter of intent or exhibition contract with the China International Import Expo and took a group photo.

"Our ancestors were full of confidence in China's development back then, and we also firmly believe today that China has broad development prospects and opportunities," Stephen Perry emphasized in an interview.

For the past 70 years, several generations of "ice breakers" have witnessed and actively participated in China's development and reform, achieving their own growth and development through mutually beneficial cooperation. In the Perry family, the spirit of breaking the ice has always been passed down. In 1953, Stephen Perry was only 5 years old when he embarked on his "ice breaking journey". In 1972, China and Britain officially established ambassadorial level diplomatic relations, and Stephen Perry visited China for the first time with his father. The rice fields and the people working hard in the fields became his first impression of China. In 1993, Stephen Perry became the chairman of 48 group clubs in the UK. Nowadays, this institution has over 600 members, covering multiple fields such as business, culture, diplomacy, and academia. In 2008, 48 group clubs established the "Young Icebreakers" organization with the aim of promoting exchanges between young people from both countries, and Stephen Perry's children also participated in it.

"Now it's time for the next generation to take over and expand their careers," said Stephen Perry, just as his father had given him such an opportunity back then.