China, UK launch first Beijing-Birmingham tech week
UK and China representatives met in Beijing on Monday for the first Beijing-Birmingham Week, aiming to broker tech deals and establish a startup incubator for British companies.
Among them was a UK delegation, which visited leading innovation institutions and technology companies in the capital from June 22 to 24. Their stops included Zhongguancun Academy, Lenovo, Moonshot AI, and robotics innovation parks.
A forum on Tuesday attracted more than 150 representatives from government agencies, technology enterprises, investment institutions, and innovation organizations from both countries.
Organizers said both sides would work to facilitate the establishment of UK innovation projects and incubators in Beijing to build a long-term and mutually beneficial platform for China-UK regional cooperation in science and technology.
The event was jointly organized with Birmingham Tech Week, one of the United Kingdom's largest technology events, which brings together leading innovators, investors, and startup support organizations from across Europe.
"We see major opportunities for China-UK collaboration, particularly where China's scale complements the UK's strengths in research and innovation," said Kiran Patel, senior director for commercial services of the China-Britain Business Council. "The UK is taking a leadership role in responsible AI governance, presenting a real opportunity for cooperation."
Li Li, general manager of Beijing Chaoyang International Science & Technology Development Group, said Chaoyang district has become a major destination for technology companies and is looking to attract more UK firms to expand their presence in Beijing.
Katharine Fuller, COO of TechWM, UK, the organizer of the Birmingham Tech Week, said that she felt a strong development connection between Beijing and the West Midlands in the UK.
She looks forward to deepening ties with Beijing through this shared cross-border event edition to build a bridge between the two innovation communities.
