EMBARGOED UNTIL 00:01 WEDNESDAY 3RD FEBRUARY 2021
Time for a ‘new green era’ for UK-China relations says CBI President
2021 will be marked by a global race towards net-zero, closer collaboration with China, soon to be the world’s largest economy in under a decade, whether in academia, low-carbon technologies and renewable energy will usher in a ‘new green era’ in UK-China relations, CBI President Lord Karan Bilimoria will say today (Wednesday).
Speaking at the CBI’s Chinese New Year virtual event – an annual event bringing together senior business and political leaders from across the Sino-British community – Lord Bilimoria will say the climate crisis demands an international, unified approach, which can be done concurrently by acknowledging the real political differences while remaining true to UK values. And whether net-zero is rhetoric or reality will be borne out in November, when the UK will host the upcoming COP26 UN Climate Summit, he will conclude.
Celebrating the Year of the Ox, the 2021 CBI Chinese New Year Event, in partnership with Huawei, will be attended by Peter Hill, CEO of COP26 and Victor Zhang CEO of Huawei.
CBI president Lord Karan Bilimoria will say:
“Businesses will take their lead from the UK government. We know there are very real challenges and in a volatile year, of shifting geopolitical fault lines, the UK’s engagement with China is rightly in the spotlight.
“But this does not mean insular nationalism is the answer. Our generation’s common threats demand common action. Both health and climate cannot be confronted without China; set to be the world’s largest economy in under a decade.
“What businesses need, instead, is a set of guiding principles to help policymakers weigh the priorities of UK citizens, interests and prosperity. And on this question, there can be no doubt. The UK is Europe’s most popular destination for Chinese investment. Over the last two decades, Chinese firms have invested over £45 billion, while our universities welcome over 100,000 Chinese students every year – adding £2 billion to our education sector.
“At a time of record economic losses this is a prize we cannot afford to ignore.
So, the question is not whether the UK engages with China but how best we can collaborate for the good of all? With business at the heart of our shared ambitions respecting our very real political differences while remaining true to our values.”
On the opportunities around COP26, Lord Karan Bilimoria will say:
“This can be a ‘new green era’ in UK-China relations. Much like the covid pandemic, the climate crisis defies national borders. It demands an international, unified approach and whether this is rhetoric or reality will be borne out in Glasgow, in November – at a milestone in UK political history.
“So far, the UK has led the way on climate commitments. Targeting net-zero emissions by 2050, and 68% cuts by 2030. Now, COP holds the prospect of the world’s two largest carbon emitters, the US and China finding areas of genuine common ground. President Xi has already pledged carbon neutrality by 2060. A quiet miracle one we mustn’t underestimate.
“The year ahead will be challenging as the pandemic continues, but with vaccines being rolled out at pace globally there is light at the end of the tunnel. I firmly believe that if we can tackle the covid crisis, and move forward then we can turn 2021 into a genuine opportunity for UK-China cooperation, and low carbon partnership and begin a new ‘green era’ for the years ahead.”
3 February 2021
Notes to Editors:
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.
Dear CBI Members and Partners,
Please find the JULY 2023 IP Newsletter below highlighting the latest news and IP developments in China.
Download China IP Newsletter July 2023
For more information kindly contact: [email protected]
China Direct would like to thank the IP team for sharing this information.
China’s ability to restore its position as a leading global investment destination depends largely on the ability to regain a reputation for certainty, stability, and trust, finds the results of the British Business in China: Position Paper 2023.
While businesses are much more optimistic about their prospects in the market than they were a year ago, they say more needs to be done to improve consultation between businesses and the Chinese government, and level the unequal playing field between SOEs, domestic businesses, and international companies.
Still, British businesses highlight many reasons to be optimistic about the Chinese market; 86% of businesses are optimistic about China’s market potential in the long-term, and almost three-fifths of businesses are more optimistic now travel has resumed.
To make sure China is able to reach its full market potential, the British Chamber of Commerce is calling for concrete action, to improve transparency, restore competition, and reduce uncertainty.
To access the Report please click here.
Our sincere thanks to the British Chamber of Commerce in China for kindly sharing the Position Paper.
GREAT Trade & Investment News
Hong Kong & Macao
April 2023
For a comprehensive round up of the latest UK-Hong Kong and Macao Trade and Investment news, insights and information kindly refer to the April Newsletter below:
Great HK & Macao TI Newsletter April 2023
China Direct would like to thank the Trade and Investment team at the British Consulate in Hong Kong for kindly sharing this information.
Dear CBI Members and Partners,
Please find the April 2023 IP Newsletter below highlighting the latest news and IP developments in China.
Download China IP Newsletter April 2023
For more information kindly contact: [email protected]
China Direct would like to thank the IP team for sharing this information.
GREAT Trade & Investment News
Hong Kong & Macao
February 2023
For a comprehensive round up of the latest UK-Hong Kong and Macao Trade and Investment news, insights and information kindly refer to the February Newsletter below:
GREAT HK MACAO TI Newsletter Feb 23
China Direct would like to thank the Trade and Investment team at the British Consulate in Hong Kong for kindly sharing this information.
For the latest on UK-China travel, flights, visas and entry requirements please review the British Chamber's latest travel advisory newsletter below:
UK-China Travel advisory news update 06 Feb 2023
With our sincere thanks to the team at the British Chamber of Commerce in China for kindly sharing this information.
Dear CBI Members and Partners,
Please find the December 2022 IP Newsletter below highlighting the latest news and IP developments in China.
Download China IP Newsletter December 2022
For more information kindly contact: [email protected]
China Direct would like to thank the IP team for sharing this information.
International arrivals to China will no longer face quarantine restrictions from 08 January 2023 onwards.
After nearly three years of isolation China's borders will finally open in early 2023.
For more details please refer to the Reuters article below.
China to scrap COVID quarantine rule for inbound travellers
I’m sure most of you are celebrating a much happier end to the year than its beginning was. It has been a tough and challenging year but as we celebrate Hong Kong opening up even more, a very Happy Christmas, Hanukkah, Winter Solstice and any other festival that you are commemorating.
As the team here at DIT Hong Kong look forward and begin planning for 2023/2024, we will see the return of VIP visitors and trade missions from the UK, events and activities in Hong Kong with evermore international attendees and also businesses travelling to the UK to sign high-value investment deals. Do get in touch with us if you have any great ideas for the team to be involved in, our contact details are at the end of the newsletter. Also do follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram for the latest updates.
It is though bittersweet for yours truly. We will shortly welcome the arrival of our new, permanent Director-General, Chris Woodward, whilst I return to my previous role as Director. I have thoroughly enjoyed the ‘stepping-up’ experience but look forward to Chris taking the reins and leading the team into a very positive future.
To view the December newsletter please click here
Our thanks to Corin and the team at the British Consulate in Hong Kong & Macao for kindly sharing the latest UK-China trade and investment news.
The 2022-2023 edition of the British Chamber of Commerce in China's British Business in China: Sentiment Survey has been released today, shedding light on the outlook and perspective of almost 300 UK companies in the Chinese mainland.
Our survey found that COVID-19 controls are hampering business operations and have had a significant negative effect on the sentiment of British businesses operating in China in 2022. After a third year of COVID controls, business pessimism in China is at a record high. Employing foreign staff remains the top challenge facing UK companies in China, hampering relationships between global headquarters and China offices. Continued uncertainty and ongoing unpredictability in the business environment has shaken UK investor confidence.
The British chambers of commerce in China call for a clear path to a more stable and predictable business environment, implemented consistently and clearly across all levels of government so that businesses can plan with greater certainty and less disruption.
Businesses report being constrained by market access barriers, coupled with some market closings and feeling less welcome in the market. The survey also shows a substantial drop in the ability for companies to recruit enough of the talent they need, which is having an impact on relationships between global headquarters and China offices.
Despite a spate of new measures being rolled out over the past two weeks aimed at relaxing COVID-19 control measures, uncertainty remains as to what the implementation of these measures will mean in reality given many of these are still in the process of taking effect.
The top three regulatory challenges facing British businesses in 2022-23 are:
To access the Survey please click here.
Our thanks to the British Chamber of Commerce China for kindly sharing this essential report.
The CBI helps create and sustain the conditions in which businesses in the United Kingdom can compete and prosper for the benefit of all.
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