'Serious engagement is back' delegates hear at China-UK export event

Zheng Zeguang, China's ambassador to the UK, said the UK business community has been "championing closer China-UK cooperation" for many years.

"As Chinese ambassador to the UK, I have had the pleasure of traveling across the country over the past five years," he said. "I can see with my own eyes the huge potential for collaboration between our two countries. Whether in London or Manchester, Edinburgh or Belfast, the people I have met all support China-UK engagement and cooperation."

He added that "this economic partnership is a win-win for both countries".

"Export to China supports half a million jobs in the UK," Zheng said. "Chinese enterprises in the UK have created 56,000 jobs directly and 150,000 jobs indirectly. Imports from China can obviously help the UK to offset inflation, grow productivity, and advance the green transition."

The two countries' economies are complementary, Zheng added, noting that China's 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) is "very much aligned" with the UK's Modern Industrial Strategy.

Duan Hongtao, executive director of the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, or ICBC, said the institution has long supported China-UK trade and investment through its commercial and investment banking services.

Founded in 1984, ICBC is one of the world's largest banks by total assets and tier 1 capital. The company established a representative office in London in 1995 and its London branch officially opened in 2014, becoming the first branch of a Chinese mainland bank to receive regulatory approval for establishment in the UK.

Duan said ICBC is a comprehensive cooperation partner of the China International Import Expo and has, for several consecutive years, operated exhibition booths on behalf of overseas clients, facilitating the participation of nearly 800 exporters from 54 countries and regions at the expo.