China Direct

Britain's Image Overseas - A 2021 Survey

Dear CBI members and Partners,

 

Kindly find a useful report published in Dec 2021 by VisitBritain. The Headline Summary makes for interesting reading, particularly if you then review China's ranking of UK attributes later in the report.

The full report can be downloaded below. Our thanks to VisitBritain for kindly sharing this information.

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Britain’s image overseas

The Anholt Nation Brands Index ranked 60 nations in 2021 and the UK ranked 5th as a nation brand, behind Germany, Canada, Japan and Italy. 

The Anholt-Ipsos Nation Brands Index is an annual online study amongst 60,000 consumers in 20 panel countries around the world. Respondents score 60 nations on a raft of attributes including some relating to tourism, culture and people as well as those relating to exports, governance and immigration. Respondents are representative of the online population in each market. In 2021, there were some methodological changes whereby the number of interviews tripled, 60 nations were ranked vs 50 in previous years and Saudi Arabia replaced Egypt in the panel countries. 

Rank	Nation	Rank	Nation
1	Germany	6	France
2	Canada	7	Switzerland
3	Japan	8	United States
4	Italy	9	Sweden
5	United Kingdom	10	Australia

There were significant changes to the top 10 nation brands in 2021 with the UK dropping 3 rankings to 5^th place after reaching a record 2nd place in 2020. 

The overall nation brand is made up of scores for six dimensions: Tourism, Culture, People, Immigration-Investment, Exports and Governance and there were declines across most of the dimensions in 2021.

Looking at the dimensions relevant for tourism, the UK ranked 6^th out of 60 nations for Tourism and 4^th for Culture. Within these dimensions the UK ranked highest for contemporary culture, sport, historic buildings/monuments and vibrant city life. Within other dimensions, education qualifications, having a close friend from the UK and willingness to live and work in the UK were held in high regard as well. Attributes such as natural beauty, welcome and behaving responsibly to protect the environment were ranked lowest in 2021. 

The table below shows in more detail how well Britain performed across Tourism, Culture, People, Exports, Immigration and Investment, and Governance.

UK’s ranks for all dimensions and attributes

Hexagon dimensions / attribute	UK rank in 2021	Hexagon dimensions / attribute	UK rank in 2021
Tourism	6	People	10
Rich in historic buildings & monuments	5	If visited, people would make me feel very welcome	18
Vibrant city life & urban attractions	6	Would like a person from country as a close friend	3
Would like to visit if money was no object	7	Would employ well-qualified person from country	6
Rich in natural beauty	31
Culture	4	Exports	4
Interesting & exciting for contemporary culture	4	Major contributor to innovation in science & technology	5
Excels at sport	4	Feel better about buying products if made there	6
Has a rich cultural heritage	8	Creative, cutting edge ideas & new ways of thinking	6
Immigration-investment	5	Governance	11
Willing to live & work there for a substantial period	5	Competently and honestly governed	11
A place with a high quality of life	8	Respect the rights of citizens & treats with fairness	10
A good place to study for educational qualifications	2	Behaves responsibly in int. peace & security	9
Has businesses I'd like to invest in	6	Behaves responsibly to protect the environment	15
Cares about equality in society	12	Behaves responsibly to help reduce world poverty	10

Read our full report on how the world views Britain (PDF, 524 KB). Published December 2021

UK-China Trade Summary 2020

Kindly find a one page summary of UK-China trade stats for 2020 attached below.

China Direct would like to thank the CBBC for kindly providing this update.

Download 201229_China_investment_factsheet_final

British Business Awards 2020 - applications open now!

 

We are delighted to announce that the British Business Awards 2020 website (www.britishbusinessawards.cn) is now live and online applications open. 

Established in 2008 and now in its twelfth year, the biennial British Business Awards (BBA) recognises and promotes excellence in innovation, enterprise, and endeavour, in the British and Chinese business communities. The British Chamber of Commerce Shanghai is excited to be hosting BBA 2020 in Shanghai.

Over the past decade, BBA in China has grown to become a prestigious feature of the business calendar. BBA 2020 consists of nine categories which showcase a number of organisations and individuals who have demonstrated a commitment to trade and investment in China. These awards are:

·    Innovation Award (Sponsored by bp)

·    Sustainability Award (Sponsored by Houghton Street Consulting)

·    Entrepreneur of the Year Award (Sponsored by The British Chamber of Commerce Shanghai)

·    Chinese Investor in the UK Award

·    British Exporter of the Year Award (Sponsored by CBBC)

·    Leadership Award (Sponsored by The University of Manchester China Centre)

·    Best Employer Award (Sponsored by Smith+Nephew)

·    Best Services Award (Sponsored by KPMG China)

·    British Company of the Year Award (Sponsored by SpiraxSarco)

 

Key Dates of BBA 2020

·    Wednesday, 27 May: Official Website Launch & Online Applications

·    Thursday, 11 June: Official Launch Event

·    Friday, 31 July: Applications Close

·    Thursday, 3 September: Finalists Announcement

·    Thursday, 29 October: Awards Gala Dinner

For more details about each award and its criteria, please click here. To apply for the awards, please click here to register an account first or find your old account back.

BBA 2020 is supported by Department for International Trade (DIT), China-Britain Business Council (CBBC), The British Council, Confederation of British Industry (CBI), and British Chambers in Beijing, Guangdong and Southwest.

If you have any questions, please contact [email protected].

CBI welcomes John Allan as New President

CBI WELCOMES JOHN ALLAN AS NEW PRESIDENT CBI members have endorsed the appointment of John Allan CBE as the President of the UK’s largest business organisation at its Annual General Meeting in London. Mr Allan, Chairman of Tesco and Chairman of Barratt Developments, succeeds Paul Drechsler CBE, Chairman of the Bibby Line Group and Chairman of the Board of Teach First, to become the 27th CBI President since 1965.   John Allan CBE, CBI President, said: “It is a great honour to be elected CBI President at this critical time for the UK’s economy and businesses. “As a country we face great challenges and I will try to ensure that the CBI’s rational, evidence-based solutions are presented clearly and forcefully to all concerned, and in particular to the Government. “Whether it is finding the best possible outcome to Brexit or focussing energy upon the long-term issues, like the Industrial Strategy, skills and infrastructure, we will campaign honestly and clearly for a future which is good for the British economy and good for the British people. “Paul has been an outstanding President helping to steer the business agenda through challenging waters. I look forward to carrying his work forward and to working closely with Carolyn and all the rest of the very talented CBI team.”   Carolyn Fairbairn, CBI Director-General, said: “It’s a great pleasure to welcome John to the CBI as our new President. His passion, and the breadth of his experience and knowledge – formed over decades at some of the largest employers in the country – will be of tremendous value to us at such an important juncture for British industry.”   Since 2015, Mr. Allan has been Chairman of Tesco, the largest private sector employer in the UK. He has also been Chairman of Barratt Developments since 2014. Previously, amongst other senior roles, he was non-executive director at Worldpay where he was formerly Chairman. He was Chairman of Dixons Retail and Chief Financial Officer and a Board Member of Deutsche Post DHL. He was also previously Chairman of Care UK Health & Social Care and a non-executive director of the Home Office Supervisory Board, and was Chairman of London First from 2014 to 2018, a business group representing leaders of firms in the capital. He has been a non-executive director at: Royal Mail, PHS Group, National Grid, Wolseley, Hamleys, 3i and Connell. In 2006, he was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for services to freight transport.     19 June 2018   Notes to Editors:   The CBI President plays a leading role in the organisation’s advocacy work, meeting with ministers and senior civil servants, promoting British business internationally and chairing the CBI Board. The role of President is an unpaid post, and the President can stand for a total of three terms as set out in the CBI’s Royal Charter.   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) on Twitter.

 

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.

China Sterling Assets Report - Chinese Version

Dear CBI Members and Partners,

Kindly find the Chinese version of the CBI's first China Sterling Assets Report attached below for your reference.

Many thanks.

Download CBI China Sterling Assets Report_Chinese

Download CBI China Sterling Assets Report

CBI Sterling Assets Report on China Roadshow

 

  

The inaugural Sterling Assets Report has been on a pan-China Roadshow since its launch on Thursday 02 November in Beijing.

The objective of the Roadshow was to circulate the Report's key findings to the diverse and dynamic UK business network in China and encourage policymakers and local officials to use the Report to promote greater UK-China business investment. 

Additionally the Report was received by business stakeholders the CBBC, British Chambers, Department of International Trade (DIT) and a visiting delegation of the All Party Parliamentary China Group in Guangzhou.

China Direct would like to sincerely thank HM Consuls Cecile Elbeleidi in Chongqing, HM Consul Karen Maddocks in Guangzhou, HM Consul John Edwards in Shanghai and HM Consul Nick Whittingham in Wuhan for their support.

 

    

Please note that China Direct will have the Chinese language version of the Report available for review and download by mid-November.

Kindly find the original Report and Executive Summary attached below for your reference.

Download CBI China Sterling Assets Report

Download Sterling Assets China Executive Summary

Thank you. 

  

UK & Cambodia - Introduction & Trade/Investment Opportunities

Following a visit to SE Asia last week China Direct would like to share trade & investment opportunities in Cambodia to its UK and international CBI membership.

Kindly refer to the following overview presented at a UK-Cambodia business event in Phnom Penh on 11.05.17. 

Download HMA Cambodia Briefing_May 2017

For any follow on questions or business related queries kindly contact Ms. Olivia Widen, Director, Department for International Trade (Cambodia), directly via: [email protected] 

Guy Dru Drury, CBI Chief Representative, China NE SE Asia, would like to sincerely thank HMA Bill Longhurst, Deputy Head of Mission Cashel Gleeson and the team at the British Embassy in Phnom Penh for their hospitality and support.

BBC Worldwide announces new China Central Television (CCTV) broadcast deal

 

CBI member BBC Worldwide announced a deal with Chinese state broadcaster CCTV that will bring highly rated CBeebies series Go Jetters to over 1.1 billion viewers in China.

Fully dubbed and subtitled in Chinese, the 50-episode series will premiere at the end of May on CCTV-14 – the children’s channel that is part of China Central Television (CCTV). CCTV is the predominant state television in the People’s Republic of China with over 50 different channels catering to a wide audience both locally and abroad.

The national broadcaster has the world's largest audience of over 1.1 billion people, nearly 90% of China's population. CCTV 14 is the state broadcaster’s dedicated children’s channel.

Please read more here.

Popular British brands embracing WeChat - China's most popular social media platform

Popular brands, including CBI members Burberry, Mulberry, British Airways and Durex, are among British companies successfully using instant messaging application WeChat in the Chinese market.

Christopher Bailey, Burberry's chief creative officer, said: "WeChat opens up a huge new world of opportunity in the digital space. The exciting thing for us is the deeper and more meaningful way that we are able to tell our stories using this platform."

Burberry lets users view London Fashion Week catwalk shows on the app, listen to translated interviews with executives, and snap up digital vouchers and promotions. British companies know they can reach Chinese consumers through social media."

In 2016, WeChat had 768 million daily logged-in users, and 60 percent of Chinese shoppers searched Weibo, China's equivalent to Twitter, for brand information.

Plesae read more here.