On 17 June, The British Chamber of Commerce Shanghai hosted an exclusive roundtable discussion in Hangzhou, bringing together leading Chinese companies and Lewis Neal, British Trade Commissioner for China, to explore growing trade and investment opportunities between the UK and China.
UK’s Forward-Looking Investment Strategy
Discussions focused on: Invest 2035: The UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy, set to launch later this month, the outlook for UK-China commercial relations, and trade and investment opportunities with UK.
Lewis Neal stated the UK’s commitment to an open, global economy: “One that emphasises openness to trade and investment from around the world.” Key sectors mentioned in the Strategy include life science and healthcare, manufacturing, clean energy as well as financial services and professional services. Over 40 Chinese financial institutions already set up operations in the UK and the Bank of China’s century-long presence in UK was highlighted as testament to the enduring commercial relationship, he stated.
The event provided valuable insights into how Chinese businesses view the UK market.
Chinese Perspectives on UK Investment
The event gathered senior representatives from 11 major Chinese institutions across finance, law, manufacturing, new energy, technology and higher education, including China Zheshang Bank, Allbright Law Offices, Lianlian Pay, Zhejiang University’s Architectural Design Institute, China Academy of Art, Hangzhou Surron Technology Co Ltd, PWC, Zhejiang Orientgene Biotech Co.,Ltd, HSBC, Bank of Ningbo, and HYCEN.
Some participants shared experiences on exploring initial UK market entry, while others with existing British operations are considering establishing European headquarters in the UK.
Financial and law service institutions discussed cross-border payment solutions and investment services supporting overseas expansion of local enterprises.
Academic representatives expressed strong interest in strengthening collaborations with UK universities, particularly in specialist sectors and cultural exchange programs.
The roundtable created a valuable platform for direct dialogue between Chinese businesses and UK government representatives, helping identify both opportunities and challenges in bilateral investment.
The British Chamber of Commerce continues to facilitate these important exchanges, supporting businesses as they navigate and develop UK-China trade relationships.
