China and the UK held a new round of trade dialogue in Beijing, signalling stronger cooperation in investment, green growth, and future business opportunities.
Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng met UK Business and Trade Secretary Peter Kyle in Beijing on September 10th. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to deeper economic cooperation.
“China is committed to high-level opening-up. We support UK enterprises’ confidence in investing in China, encourage them to expand in the Chinese market, and share the dividends of China’s vast market,” He said.
Kyle, on his first visit to China as Britain’s new business and trade secretary, stressed that the UK values economic and trade cooperation with China. He said London hopes to strengthen communication and coordination to advance bilateral trade and investment, according to Xinhua.
New Platforms for Economic Dialogue
Kyle’s trip marks the restart of the China-UK Joint Economic and Trade Commission (JETCO), held in Beijing for the first time since 2018. The UK government said Kyle aims to help secure deals worth more than £1 billion over the next five years.
In addition, the two sides launched the Industrial Cooperation Dialogue (ICD), meeting on the 10th and 11th for the first time since 2022. According to the UK government, the talks focus on cooperation in industrial decarbonization and the digital economy. They also cover standards that would make it easier for UK carmakers to enter the Chinese market.
Expanding Business Opportunities
Meanwhile, analysts noted that the potential of bilateral cooperation remains broad. A clear example is the 25th China International Fair for Investment & Trade (CIFIT) in Xiamen, China’s Fujian Province, where the UK is this year’s guest country of honour.
The UK has sent a delegation of more than 260 representatives from government, businesses, and industry associations. Under the theme “Smart Investment from the UK”, the UK Pavilion covers over 400 square meters and highlights opportunities in healthcare, finance, advanced manufacturing, and clean energy.
Peter Batey, president of the China-Britain Business Council, said the two countries enjoy a solid foundation in cultural and business exchanges. He expressed hope that CIFIT will further raise Chinese investors’ interest in the UK, especially in industrial cooperation and technological innovation.
The fair also reported strong overall results. According to the organizing committee, CIFIT concluded on September 11 with 1,154 investment projects signed, totaling approximately £740 billion in planned investment.
Strong Investment and Trade Ties
Looking ahead, official data also show strong momentum. By July 2025, the UK’s cumulative actual investment in China had exceeded £25.9 billion. At the same time, China’s direct investment stock in the UK surpassed £23.7 billion. More than 13,000 British enterprises currently operate in China.
The UK is now China’s second-largest destination for direct investment in Europe and its third-largest European source of foreign investment. In 2024, bilateral trade in goods and services topped £96.3 billion. That means around £267 million in trade took place between the two countries every day.
Written by Chen Wang, additional reporting by Global Times, CNS.
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