China's Ambassador Encourages Strengthening Business Ties with the UK

01 Dec, 2023

China's Ambassador Encourages Strengthening Business Ties with the UK

China's Ambassador to the United Kingdom (UK), Zheng Zeguang, has urged the business communities of both nations to enhance their mutually beneficial cooperation further. Speaking at the sixth China-UK Economic and Trade Forum, Ambassador Zheng highlighted the steady development in China-UK economic and trade cooperation in recent years, emphasizing untapped potential.

Ambassador Zheng encouraged entrepreneurs from both countries to confidently seize opportunities, focusing on cooperation for mutual benefit in key areas and fostering innovation for new outcomes in local cooperation. He reiterated China's commitment to advancing high-standard opening up and making economic globalization more open, inclusive, balanced, and beneficial for all.

Noting the acceleration of cooperation between China and the city of Manchester, Ambassador Zheng highlighted that China has become Greater Manchester's third-largest trading partner. He mentioned the growing interest of Chinese enterprises in investment and business opportunities in the northern part of the UK, leading to a steady increase in cooperation projects in the region.

Dominic Johnson, Minister of State in the UK Department for Business and Trade, echoed Ambassador Zheng's sentiments, emphasizing the need to take steps to boost business cooperation between the two countries. Johnson mentioned that bilateral trade exceeded £100 billion (approximately $126.47 billion) in 2022, emphasizing the vast opportunities China presents for businesses in Manchester and across the United Kingdom.

The forum, hosted by the China Chamber of Commerce in the UK, brought together over 230 representatives from various sectors to communicate and explore opportunities for cooperation.