A “UK Innovation & Investment Delegation” composed of British entrepreneurs, investors, and industry experts is touring China to engage in a series of exchanges on technology innovation, industrial collaboration, and investment opportunities.
The delegation will tour China from September 19th to 27th. During the trip, the group will travel to Shanghai, Hefei, and Hangzhou. It marks a new chapter in UK-China cooperation on innovation and investment.
Innovation, cooperation, and expectation are the keywords of the trip. The delegation includes 13 members from fintech, healthcare, sustainable supply chains, blockchain, human resources, and international market expansion. Most of them haven’t visited China before, and they have expressed strong interest in exploring the country’s market and collaboration opportunities.
For Paul Hercock, CEO of UK-based medical compliance consultancy Mantra Systems Ltd, the journey marks his first time in China. “I’ve always been curious about China from what I’ve seen in the media. This trip gives me the chance to experience it first-hand and, more importantly, to engage with leading Chinese enterprises in my field of healthcare. I’m sure I’ll learn a lot,” he said, adding that he has prepared a long list of questions for Chinese medical companies in the hope of advancing UK-China cooperation in healthcare.
Cynthia Davis CBE, CEO of the HR technology platform Diversifying.io, also shared her expectations before the trip. She highlighted China’s leadership in AI and innovation applications, which she believes can provide valuable opportunities for cross-border talent cooperation. “This trip is not only about finding potential partners, but also about cultural and conceptual exchange,” she said.
Jai James McIntosh of Bridgehead International Agency even revealed the company’s relocation plan. “We are considering moving our Sydney branch to either Shanghai or Hong Kong,” he said. Adding, “China has the largest market in the world. We want to use this visit to gather policy and market insights, to help more UK clients enter China and also to introduce Chinese companies to the European market.”
They are not alone in plans to expand to China. Several other participating companies, including Diversifying.io, BridgingFi, and TDi Sustainability, are actively evaluating Chinese cities and innovation parks as potential future bases. The fact British companies are planning Chinese expansions presents local governments and industrial zones a valuable opportunity to showcase their policies, ecosystems, and services to attract investment.
The delegation will visit Shanghai, Hefei, and Hangzhou, focusing on innovation ecosystems, AI, new energy, and the digital economy. Shanghai, with its financial and innovation strengths, is regarded as the starting point of the visit; Hefei, known for AI and advanced manufacturing, is expected to become a center for industrial and technological cooperation; while Hangzhou, a leader in the digital economy and fintech, will provide a platform for dialogue. Together, the three cities reflect the diversity of China’s innovation landscape and outline a dynamic picture of its industrial chain.
The event is co-organised by the UK branch of Nouvelles d’Europe and International Management Answers (IMA).
“As an overseas Chinese media outlet, we are not only recorders of China-Europe cultural exchange but also a bridge for economic and innovation cooperation,” said Frank Li, General Manager of Nouvelles d’ Europe UK. “We hope our coverage and connections will help more Chinese and British companies find each other and jointly explore new opportunities.”
Isabel Li, IMA’s Head of Greater China, noted that many UK companies still have limited understanding of China. “After visiting, they are often impressed by the pace of innovation and development. We hope this kind of communication will also encourage more Chinese enterprises to take part in London Tech Week,” she said.
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