On 18 March 2026, the 8th China–UK Economic and Trade Forum was grandly held at Merchant Taylors’ Hall in the City of London. Mr. Qiu Zhaojun, Managing Director of IBG, together with Ms. Wang Jia, Market Development Manager, and Ms. Sun Xuemei, Business Development Manager, attended the forum. They joined government officials, business leaders, and industry experts from both China and the UK to explore new pathways for deepening bilateral economic and trade cooperation under the evolving global landscape.
The forum brought together a distinguished lineup of high-level guests. Zheng Zeguang, Chinese Ambassador to the UK, delivered a keynote speech. Senior UK representatives including Lucy Rigby, Economic Secretary to the Treasury, and Susan Langley, Lord Mayor of the City of London, also attended and addressed the audience. The forum was chaired by Fang Wenjian, President of the China Chamber of Commerce in the UK.
In his keynote speech, Ambassador Zheng Zeguang noted that the implementation of China’s upcoming Five-Year Plan will create new opportunities for countries worldwide and open up broader prospects for China–UK economic and trade cooperation. He emphasized that such cooperation serves as both the “ballast” and the “engine” of bilateral relations, with significant untapped potential in goods trade, services trade, two-way investment, and third-party market collaboration.
Ms. Lucy Rigby highlighted in her remarks that China remains a key engine of global economic growth and an important economic partner for the UK. She expressed the UK’s intention to enhance business confidence through strengthened dialogue and underscored the strong potential for expanded cooperation in areas such as financial services. As China continues to deepen its opening-up, she noted, there are broad opportunities for collaboration in legal services, accounting, education, and e-commerce.
Alderwoman Dame Susan Langley DBE stated that London has long been a global hub for trade and finance. Against the backdrop of increasing geoeconomic fragmentation and rising protectionism, strengthening UK–China cooperation is not only beneficial for both countries but also vital for enhancing global economic stability and resilience.
Mr. Fang Wenjian remarked that the forum aims to translate the positive momentum generated by Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s engagement with China into concrete projects and practical cooperation outcomes. He emphasized that the business communities of both countries serve as an essential bridge and should continue to play a proactive role in advancing deeper and more substantive bilateral collaboration.
During the forum, participants from the China–UK business community also engaged in in-depth discussions across two parallel sessions themed “New Opportunities in China” and “Connectivity and Shared Prosperity.” Topics included the UK’s participation in China’s next phase of growth, the operational development of the Hainan Free Trade Port, and successful investment practices in sectors such as healthcare, e-commerce, and transportation. The forum highlighted shared interests in market openness, green transformation, and innovation-driven cooperation, aiming to elevate China–UK economic and trade relations to new heights through pragmatic collaboration.
On the sidelines of the forum, IBG representatives also held extensive discussions with business leaders from both countries, exploring potential areas of cooperation. Participants widely agreed that amid a complex and rapidly changing global environment, strengthening China–UK economic and trade ties not only serves the mutual interests of both nations but also contributes greater stability and positive momentum to the global economy.