On 19 June, the British Chamber of Commerce Shanghai hosted a closed-door roundtable discussion with Lewis Neal, British Trade Commissioner for China, to explore the evolving landscape of UK-China commercial relations. The topics of the session delved into the forthcoming Invest 2035: The UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy and key advocacy priorities for British businesses in East China.
Lewis Neal shared insights into Invest 2035, the UK’s newly launched industrial strategy designed to accelerate growth in key sectors, including life sciences, financial services, and advanced manufacturing.
Education was a sector repeatedly highlighted during discussions where participants underscored the sector’s financial challenges and growth opportunities, particularly in transnational partnerships.
Reflecting on bilateral ties, Lewis Neal noted, “We are in a better place today than we were 12 months ago,” a sentiment echoed by attendees who pointed to positive developments in UK-China relations. However, participants also stressed the need to remove enduring market access barriers —especially in services and consumer sectors—to unlock China’s consumption potential.
Voices From Business: Challenges & Opportunities
The roundtable brought together senior leaders from 15 member enterprises, all long-standing UK investors in China, including Aston Martin, Haleon, Smith Group, University of Nottingham Ningbo China, University of Edinburgh, Silverstream, GKN, PWC, Renishaw, HSBC, Standard Chartered China, JLR, BP, Brunswick and Anglo American.
Education emerged as a recurring theme throughout the discussion, with participants underlined both the financial strain faced by the sector and its largely untapped opportunities for expansion.
In addition, participants expressed cautious optimism about recent improvements in UK-China relations, citing progress in areas such as regulation facilitation and academic exchanges.
However, they also pointed to persistent barriers, including restrictive export control measures and uneven market access, which continue to influence investment decisions. Several participants stressed that removing these obstacles—particularly in consumer-facing industries—could significantly boost trade and consumption.
The discussion also touched on supply chain dynamics, with companies acknowledging China’s enduring role as a strategic hub d noting opportunities to align their operations. While some firms face logistical and compliance challenges, others see opportunities to adapt their operations to China’s economic model.
The Way Forward
The overall sentiment reflected a pragmatic approach: China remains a critical market, but success requires flexibility and a deep understanding of local conditions.
Lewis Neal thanked participants for their insights and feedback. He said that the UK government will continue high-level government engagements and dialogues. He also encouraged more provincial-level engagement and supporting UK businesses looking for more opportunities in different regions of China.
He cited that the Chamber could represent business voice independently, adding value to UK-China relations.
The event highlighted the British Chamber’s ongoing role as a vital channel between UK businesses and policymakers.
By fostering open exchanges like this one, the Chamber continues to support its members in navigating an increasingly complex but opportunity-rich environment.
