China Direct

CBI makes the case for British Business in China

 

CBI MAKES THE CASE FOR BRITISH BUSINESS IN CHINA

The CBI’s Director-General is visiting China this week on a trade visit with the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. Theresa May.

Carolyn Fairbairn, CBI Director-General, said:

“The Sino-British relationship is a tremendous success story. From services to schools, and iPhones to tea, our countries have a special and integral place in each other’s lives.

“British businesses are keen to play their part in further deepening and engraining the economic ties between China and the United Kingdom. With the consumer market alone worth over £3.3 trillion, this relationship creates thousands of jobs in the UK and China, raising living standards and boosting productivity.

“As the UK forges a new global trading future, it is well ahead of the curve in making the most of its relationship with the world’s fastest growing economy. By making inroads into China’s lesser economically known regions, the UK stands to profit from China’s move from manufacturing and infrastructure into technology and services, writing a new chapter in the golden era of relations.”

30 January 2018

Notes to Editors:

Read the CBI’s latest report on British trade and investment with China, Sterling Assets China.

Across the UK, the CBI speaks on behalf of 190,000 businesses of all sizes and sectors. The CBI’s corporate members together employ nearly 7 million people, about one third of private sector-employees. With offices in the UK as well as representation in Brussels, Washington, Beijing and Delhi, the CBI communicates the British business voice around the world.

Media Contact:

CBI Press Office is available 24 hours a day on 0207 395 8239, or email: [email protected] Follow the CBI (@CBItweets), Carolyn Fairbairn (CBICarolyn) and CBI China (CBIBEIJING) on Twitter.

HMA Barbara Woodward highlights UK-China bilateral activities & British Business Awards

 

 

On 28 April 2016, British Ambassador to China Barbara Woodward spoke at an exclusive luncheon in Shanghai, organised by the British Chamber Shanghai and the China-Britain Business Council (CBBC).

 

Ambassador Woodward highlighted three major events in the coming months: the E.U.-China Business Summit in July, the G20 in Hangzhou in September (which includes a bilateral meeting between Prime Minister David Cameron and Premier Li Keqiang), and the 2016 U.K.-China Economic and Financial Dialogue (EFD) in London in the autumn.

 

Commending the business community and the energy of the partnerships in Shanghai, Ambassador Woodward also stressed the opportunity to get involved and participate in the British Business Awards (BBA) 2016 in order to highlight achievements and celebrate British business success in China.

 

For more information about the BBA or to apply for the awards, please either visit www.britishbusinessawards.cn. or contact the CBI's Beijing office directly via [email protected] tel: +86 10 85253100. The CBI is a founder member of the British Business Awards (2008-).

 

Please read more here and here.

UK-China Monthly round-up March 2016

 

Dear CBI member & Partners,

 

Please find the March 2016 UK-China partner round-up for your reference below:

 

• Asia House in U.K. launches new book “Asia 2025”
• British Ambassadors to Southeast Asian countries visit Yunnan
• British Consulate-General Hong Kong encourages British citizens to register as overseas voters
• British Council’s The Selector on air in China
• British Embassy Beijing and Consulates launch Be Y♀urself campaign
• CBBC and Alibaba host roundtable on IP protection
• CBBC holds 4^th Annual China Business Conference in London
• China CSR Awards 2016 held in Beijing
• Chinese Ambassador to U.K. congratulates CBBC on opening of its China Business Conference
• Chinese summit looks to unlock investment for Northern Powerhouse
• European Chamber podcast on E.U.-China trade and economic relations
• European Chamber releases Tianjin Position Paper 2015/2016
• Inauguration of Generation U.K. – China Network
• Liverpool signs friendship agreement with Kunming
• Sunday Telegraph publishes signed article by Chinese Ambassador to U.K. on Chinese economy
• U.K. Business Secretary showcases Midlands Engine to Chinese investors
• U.K. and China launch innovative teacher training programme using space science
• U.K. and China sign agreement to boost exports
• UKTI and Bank of China host e-commerce event
• Volunteering for Inspiring Women

Download CBI China, U.K.-China Monthly Roundup, March 2016

UK-China Monthly Roundup: December 2015

 

Dear CBI members & partners,

 

Please find below the final UK-China Monthly Partners Round Up for 2015.

Highlights include:

• British Consulate-General in Chongqing hosts Green is GREAT Day
• CBBC’s China roadshow for its One Belt, One Road report and plans for 2016
• CBBC’s third annual Great British Brands Festival series
• Chinese Ambassador to U.K. attends Huawei Winter Concert in London
• China Chamber of Commerce in U.K. holds first New Year reception
• EBRD approves China membership application
• U.K. and Hong Kong sign MOU on health co-operation
• U.K. IPO Chief Executive John Alty visits China
• U.K. ratifies Articles of Agreement of Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB)
• U.K. and China agree to promote cooperation on climate change risk assessment

The China Direct team would like to wish you and your loved ones a very happy Christmas and New Year.

Download CBI China, U.K.-China Monthly Roundup, December 2015

Chinese Embassy in London launches special website for Chinese visitors to U.K.

The Chinese Embassy in London launched a special website for Chinese people visiting the U.K. for tourism, study, and business. The website provides comprehensive information about British sightseeing, life, study, investment, and British traditions and food as well.

It also provides information about British customs declaration, transportation, healthcare, banking, communication services, accommodations, recreational activities, climate, environment, travel, leisure, and how to apply for school and employment as well as for visas.

Please click here to access the website and here for further information in an article by China Daily.

CBI Monthly Partners Round Up October 2015

 

Dear CBI Members and Partners,

Please find our monthly Partners Update for October 2015 below.

A full report can be accessed at the bottom of this list:

• China announces its intention to contribute to Investment Plan for Europe
• Chinese Ambassador to U.K. visits BBC headquarters
• Chinese modern dance Genesis debuts in London
• “Dreams of Europe and China” Children’s Art Exhibition held in Gansu province
• E.U. and China sign key partnership on 5G
• European Commission signs best practices cooperation framework with China
• International Symposium marks 30^th Anniversary of EPO-SIPO Cooperation
• Magna Carta arrives in China for first time
• Prime Minister announces significant changes to visitor visas for Chinese tourists

Download CBI China, U.K.-China Monthly Roundup, October 2015

CBI Summary of President Xi UK Visit Oct 2015

Dear CBI members and partners,

Please find below an executive summary of President Xi Jinping's recent state visit to the UK.

A detailed and comprehensive report can be downloaded at the bottom of this article.

Headlines:

From 20-23 October, President Xi Jinping made his state visit to the UK—the first by a Chinese president in a decade—where he was welcomed with a remarkable display of pomp, pageantry, and fanfare from the British government and Royal Family.

●Huge Chinese delegation accompanies President Xi: President Xi was accompanied by 150 Chinese business leaders, and almost 1,000 people are estimated to have travelled from China to the UK to participate in the state visit.

●Grand culmination of a very special year for UK-China relations:

Widely touted by both sides to usher in a ‘golden era’ for the bilateral relationship, the state visit marked the grand culmination of what has been a very special year for the UK-China relationship.

Key milestones in the build-up to the visit including the first ever UK-China Year of Cultural Exchange, the Duke of Cambridge’s historic outing to China in March, the UK becoming the first Western European country to join the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), and UK Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne’s visit to China as well as the UK-China People-to-People Dialogue last month.

●Three primary themes underpinning state visit:

The state visit was underpinned by three primary themes—signalling the openness of the UK economy to Chinese business, working together on pressing global issues, and looking to each other as ‘economies of the future’ with the growing complementarity of the UK and Chinese economies.

●Nearly £40 billion worth of agreements: 

Almost £40 billion worth of commercial deals were agreed upon, spanning a wide range of sectors, such as energy, retail, financial services, aerospace, healthcare, transport, education, the creative industries, and more.

Several examples of key announcements included:

1. BP’s multi-billion dollar LNG deal with Huadian

2. Manchester Airport’s plans to host the first direct scheduled flights to mainland China outside of London.

3. Rolls-Royce’s US$2.4 billion agreement to power HNA Group’s new aircraft.

4. EDF and China General Nuclear Power Corporation’s commitment to the construction and operation of the proposed Hinkley Point C nuclear power station.

5. Aston Martin and China Equity’s agreement to explore the development of a production version of Aston Martin’s fully electric RapidE concept.

●Widening the scope of bilateral relations:

The visit showcased the extent to which the UK is striving to build a very broad relationship with China—stretching beyond mere trade and investment—and lay the foundation for robust ties across the government, society, and business communities.

Download CBI China, President Xi Jinping's UK state visit, October 2015

UK-Thailand Webinar - 29 Oct - date for your diary

 

As part of the CBI’s growing ASEAN offering we are delighted to invite you to join us at a webinar hosted by the British Embassy in Thailand on 29^th October.

This is an invaluable opportunity for interested businesses to hear the latest Thailand political, economic and investment analysis from HMA Mark Kent.

Thailand is the second largest economy in South-East Asia, a market of 600m people, with a pedigree of ease of doing business and respect for British quality and ingenuity.

How does the situation on the ground look 16 months on from the coup? A new draft constitution was recently rejected, delaying elections until 2017. Coupled with this political backdrop, Thailand has not been immune to the global economic headwinds.

A new economic team is in place but how do they plan to inject confidence into the Thai economy? Will new measures to encourage FDI prove more attractive than the offers of ASEAN neighbours? And what are the opportunities for UK businesses? 

Please click on the pdf download link or kindly refer to the joining instructions below.

Event Details:

Event title:        Thailand - political, economic and investment update featuring British Ambassador, H.E. Mark Kent

Date:                Thursday, 29^th October 2015

Time:                08:00 UK Time / 16:00 Bangkok Time / 17:00 Beijing Time

Format:             Webinar

Registration link:  https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1944557051984676097

We very much hope that you could join this webinar to hear the latest analysis from British Ambassador H.E. Mark Kent on 29^th October.

Sincerely yours,

China Direct

Download Webinar - Thailand - political, economic and investment update on 29 Oct 2015

Aston Martin unveils electric concept RapidE during state visit

 

CBI member Aston Martin showcased a fully electric concept of its Rapid S four-door sports saloon outside Lancaster House in London during President Xi Jinping’s state visit to the U.K.

The new RapidE concept was developed in collaboration with Williams Advanced Engineering at its facility in Grove, Oxfordshire.

It was on display in support of a creative summit organised by the British government’s successful GREAT campaign to showcase the best of what the U.K. has to offer and encourage people to visit, do business, invest, and study in the country.

During the Lancaster House event, Aston Martin and Chinese investment group ChinaEquity announced an agreement to explore the development of a production version of the RapidE concept.

If successful, the new luxury sports car would be constructed at Aston Martin’s global headquarters in Gaydon, Warwickshire, and could be brought to market in around two years.

Aston Martin CEO, Dr Andy Palmer, said, “We see luxury electric vehicles as an intrinsic part of our future product portfolio and welcome ChinaEquity into the next phase of study for the project development. The exciting RapidE concept tangibly demonstrates the capability and ambition of Aston Martin towards developing low- and zero-emission sports cars.”

Chairman Chaoyong Wang of ChinaEquity said, “We are delighted that Aston Martin not only provides a high performance driving experience to customers, but also shows their social responsibility by showcasing a new generation of electric car with zero emissions. We are excited to participate in the development of the RapidE and to make a contribution to Sino-British clean energy and green environmental strategy. We feel confident that there are significant opportunities for electric cars in China and the world.”

Please read more here.

Magna Carta in Beijing - Rule of Law and Business Forum

 

An original 1215 copy of Magna Carta will be on display in Beijing from 13-15 October at the Renmin University of China Museum. This is part of a global series of events to mark the 800th anniversary of this foundational constitutional document that has exercised a huge effect on legal & political development in the UK, the United States, and around the world.

The CBBC and the British Chamber are delighted to be holding this forum explaining the historic significance of Magna Carta in the UK and beyond, and exploring how its ideas could influence China’s ongoing legal and political development in the wake of the commitment to Rule of Law that was enshrined at the CPC’s fourth plenum in 2014. In particular the forum will examine the significance of the Rule of Law in creating the environment needed for business to thrive.

This event is aimed at lawyers in both international and Chinese firms, and those from the wider business community who are interested in the legal underpinnings of China’s economic and commercial growth. It promises to be a fascinating evening that looks both back into history and forward into China’s future!

The confirmed speakers are:

Sir Martin Davidson, Chairman of the Great Britain China Centre and former Chief Executive of the British Council. The Great Britain China Centre engages extensively with China on legal development and Rule of Law issues.

Mark Gill, Executive Director of the Magna Carta 800th Anniversary Committee and former Head of Political Research at Ipsos MORI.

Please note that the Magna Carta itself will not be on display at this event – it can be viewed between 13-15 October at the Renmin University Museum. Details are available at the address below:

http://www.timeoutbeijing.com/event/Around_Town-Events/146212/Magna-Carta-Beijing-tour-and-seminar.html

Event Details:

Date: Tues 13 Oct

Time: 18:00-20:00

Event Type: Forum

Contact: [email protected] Tel: 010 85253111

Venue: Wuhan Hall, Kerry Centre Hotel. 1 Guanghua Rd