【 What's happening in China 】 The British business community: mutually beneficial and win-win relations between China and the UK, optimistic about the prospects of cooperation between the two countries | China | The business community
China Daily, July 24th - The British Chinese Chamber of Commerce and the British China Trade Association recently held the "China North England Cooperation Forum" in Leeds, UK. British business people attending the meeting are optimistic about the prospects of business and economic cooperation between China and the UK, and support strengthening bilateral economic and investment relations.
On July 17th, the UK China Chamber of Commerce and the UK China Trade Association held the "China North England Cooperation Forum" in Leeds, UK. At present, the global economy is facing many headwinds, and the UK economy is facing many challenges, with high inflation and near zero economic growth. In this situation, the UK is also actively seeking opportunities for foreign investment and trade. Zheng Zeguang, Chinese Ambassador to the UK, pointed out in his speech at the forum that China adheres to the path of Chinese path to modernization, further expands the high-level opening up, and is committed to achieving green and low-carbon development. The fundamental principles of China's economy, which has shown long-term improvement, strong resilience, and great potential, have not changed. China's development provides new opportunities for the world. China and the UK have mutual economic advantages, and there is great potential for cooperation, which is beneficial for both sides.
According to data from the UK Department of Commerce and Trade, the total trade in goods and services between China and the UK last year was £ 111 billion, an increase of 18.3% compared to 2021.
Claire Urry, Chief Business Officer of the China UK Trade Association, stated that business relations are facing more challenges this year, but the association and its 500 member companies are still committed to long-term development in China.
"Economic, trade, and investment relations are the foundation of the relationship between the two countries. Therefore, we believe that it is necessary for the world's second and sixth largest economies to continue to engage and cooperate."
The companies participating in this forum come from the fields of home appliance manufacturing, food industry, renewable energy, medical devices, etc. in China and the UK. Business professionals in the UK have expressed optimism about the prospects of business and economic and trade cooperation between China and the UK, and look forward to deepening practical cooperation with each other.
Keith Jackson, CEO of Brandon Medical, a British medical device company, said that a good partnership is crucial for businesses to conduct business in China.
Jackson said that the company has established a strong strategic partnership with a Chinese company in Beijing in the past two years.
As a country with over 400 million middle-income groups, China is seen by British companies as a vibrant consumer market, where a variety of high-quality products can meet the needs of different groups.
John Ginger, co-founder of British brewery Brewery, recalled that he attended an exhibition in Shanghai in 2015, marking the beginning of the company's long-term partnership with China. "China will soon become our largest exporter," he said.
Chris Blake, Managing Director of Sound Leisure, a family owned company that manufactures classic jukeboxes, also said, "We believe that in the next 12 months, China will become our largest export market, surpassing the United States, which has always been our largest partner."
Blake said he hopes to visit China later this year.
[What's happening in China | Issue 941]
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