China Direct

UK takes centre stage at Xian's Silk Road International Expo

 

UK takes centre stage at the Silk Road International Expo, as Country of Honour

The UK’s Minister for Trade and Export Promotion, Baroness Rona Fairhead, and the Governor of Shaanxi Province, China, Liu Guozhong today (11 May) opened the UK Pavilion at the Silk Road International Expo (SRIE) in Xi’an, where the UK is Country of Honour.

Taking place at Qujiang International Conference and Exhibition Centre from 11-15 May in Xi’an; and jointly organised by China’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC); Ministry of Commerce (MofCom) and China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), the UK will have a national pavilion at the event, demonstrating its areas of expertise across many sectors.

Please read more here.

Silk Road International Expo Xian 10-15 May

 

 

Dear CBI Members & Partners,

You may be interested in either attending or letting your local team participate at the following event later this month. Full details are attached below:

Introduction to the Silk Road International Trade and Investment Exposition, 11th – 15th May 2018, Xi’an, Shaanxi

Jointly organised by the three most influential Chinese State bodies in international trade, National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC); Ministry of Commerce (MofCom) and China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), this expo is the biggest commercial cooperation platform between East and West China.

This opportunity will allow you to participate in discussions with Shaanxi government. The Provincial Government is responsible for a population of over 37 million and an annual GDP of circa $300 billion (similar to Hong Kong, Singapore and Ireland).

As country of honour, the UK will build on the continuing success of the UK-China trade relationship, which between January and September 2017 saw an increase in goods and services exports to China of 25.9%.

Download SRIE Delegate Pack 2018

 

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 Ahead Of The Curve In China Investment Strategy - CBI

 

EMBARGOED: 00:01 Hours, Thursday 02 November, 2017UK AHEAD OF THE CURVE IN CHINA INVESTMENT STRATEGY – CBI

UK is China’s second largest European trading partner  

The UK is shifting its investment into inner regions of China and into new sectors, ahead of the curve of other nations, according to the CBI’s first ever Sterling Assets China report.

Download CBI China Sterling Assets Report

In 2016, the UK was China’s second largest trading partner in the European Union (behind only Germany) and the eighth worldwide, doing £55 billion worth of trade in goods with China. Indeed, after the USA and Germany it is the only country in the list of China’s top nine trading partners not in the Asia Pacific region.

The UK also ranks eighth in terms of foreign direct investment (FDI) into China over the last decade, at £4 billion. However, unlike other nations, Great Britain is shifting its focus from coastal to inland provinces, which have historically received a smaller share of FDI, so as to mirror the Chinese government’s Belt and Road development plans. Over half (57%) of British investment in 2015 (over £880 million) went to inland regions, led by Heilongjiang (£313 million) in the north east and Henan (£276 million) in the centre.

Of the £18.1 billion worth of UK exports to China in 2015, Shanghai tops the list (£4.2 billion), followed by Beijing (£2.4 billion) and Guangdong (£1.3 billion). 21% of British exports to China were in transport technology (automotive, rail, air and maritime), 12% in machinery & electrical, 8% in chemical products and 5% in metals. The UK’s top service export was travel (£1.5 billion), with 270,000 Chinese visiting the UK and 91,000 Chinese students enrolling in British universities – far more than from any other country.

Guy Dru Drury MBE, CBI Head of China, said:

“The Sino-British relationship is a great success story. As we delve deeper into the Golden Era of ties between China and the United Kingdom, we have so much to offer each other, and British business is keen to play its part.

“From cars to chemicals, and services to schools, British organisations – especially many smaller companies – are tapping into a growing market in China, one that plays to the UK’s best competitive strengths. With the consumer market worth over £3.3 trillion, instantly recognisable British products are a particularly strong match for a growing generation of affluent Chinese. Moreover, 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.”

Dame Barbara Woodward DCMG OBE, Her Majesty’s Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China, said:

“Supporting UK-based companies to invest and operate overseas and become global businesses is part of our strategy to expand mutually beneficial trading relationships around the world. This is especially so in China, the world’s second largest and fastest growing economy.

“This report showcases a wide range of British investment and highlights the strengths and growing confidence of British companies. Investment in China by British companies can generate wealth for the UK, support British jobs, help build UK-based supply chains, and support China’s own economic development.

“As we continue to address the challenges for businesses investing across the globe and help them to make the most of opportunities, positive and proactive engagement of UK and Chinese businesses remains vitally important.”

Between 2015 and 2016, greenfield project investment into China exceeded £2.25 billion. The financial services sector saw the highest value investments (£488 million), followed by logistics (£292 million), consumer products (£268 million) and business services (£209 million).

02 November 2017

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.

The CBI 2017 Annual Conference will take place on Monday 6th November at the NEW LOCATION of the InterContinental London – The 02 hotel. Media can now register here (clicking on the “Media” box, entering the code 7286). Please note that journalists will be asked to upload a photo as part of the registration process. The closing date for applications is Thursday 02 November.

Follow the CBI (@CBItweets) on Twitter and on the day of annual conference using the hashtag #CBI2017.

Media Contact:

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

CBI Member News - Alstom in Xian & Clifford Chance

The Xi’an metro line 3 phase one for which CBI member Alstom supplied traction system for the metros started today. The contract was signed in 2013 between Alstom and Xi’an Metro Company to equip 246 metro cars with the OptONIX traction system. That was the first transport contract for Alstom in Xi’an city.

Phase one - which is 39.1 km long and includes 26 stations – connects the city from southwest to northeast, passing through important landmarks including Xi’an International University, Qinglong Temple, Chanba Ecological District, Xi’an International Habour Affairs Area, Xi’an Economic & Technological Development Zone and Xi’an Free Trade Zone. A further extension of the metro line toward the south is planned.

Please read more here.

 

CLIFFORD CHANCE ADVISES ICBC ON CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPEAN FOCUSED INVESTMENT FUND TARGETING €10 BILLION

Leading international law firm and CBI member Clifford Chance is advising the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) on the establishment of a European investment fund that is focused on projects in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE).

The fund is part of China's major initiative to develop a modern silk road – 'One Belt One Road', and was formally announced at the China and CEE Countries Summit in Riga, Latvia on 5 November 2016. The fund will focus on developing the infrastructure, high-tech manufacturing and consumer goods industries in the CEE countries with the intention of promoting more economic interaction between the Chinese and the European markets.

The size of the fund is expected to reach €10 billion and expected investors include governmental investors from of CEE countries, as well as Asian institutional investors.

Please read more here.

CBI Member Successes in China - Snapshot of Year of the The Horse

 

Dear CBI members and strategic partners,

China Direct would like to share with you a snapshot of CBI members' successes in China through 2014. We hope that you found our new format easy to use, visual and informative and wish you all every success for the forthcoming year of the sheep.

Please do keep sending us your updates and press releases so that your business can also be highlighted in 2015.

Thank you.

Download CBI Beijing, Member Milestones in China, 2014

CBI member Jones Lang LaSalle opens new office in Xian city

 

CBI member Jones Lang LaSalle recently announced the opening of its new office in Xi'an, which marks the firm's 11th in mainland China and 14th in Greater China.

Jones Lang LaSalle started in western China with an office in Chengdu in 2005, and, building on good business growth, opened its Chongqing office in 2011. With its strategic location, the new office in Xi'an is another key milestone for the firm.

KK Fung, Managing Director of Jones Lang LaSalle, Greater China, said, "As we mark our 20th anniversary in mainland China in 2014, the opening of the new Xi'an office further demonstrates our commitment to solidify our service delivery platform in China."

Please click here to read the full press release by Jones Lang LaSalle.

Rolls-Royce celebrates 50 years of partnership in China

 

CBI member Rolls-Royce recently held an Innovation Forum in Beijing under the theme of "Better Power for a Changing World" to celebrate its 50 years of partnership with China since the delivery of the first Dart engines to power China's Vickers Viscount aircraft in 1963.

Rolls-Royce Chief Executive John Rishton, Director of Research and Technology Ric Parker, and Regional Director for Northeast Asia Patrick Horgan joined around 200 local employees, customers, suppliers, and partners to discuss some of the key opportunities and challenges faced by China in developing highly skilled people and managing innovation, from research and development through to commercialised products and services.

In his opening remarks, Patrick Horgan highlighted the company's continued commitment to customers and the importance of forging partnerships that go well beyond the simple selling of equipment. He said, "From that small start 50 years ago, we now have a business that spans customers in multiple sectors, in civil aerospace, in marine, in energy and civil nuclear. And China has become an integral part of our global supply chain, a manufacture location, and also a research partner. The relationships now are diverse and multifaceted, and are set to grow strongly over the next 50 years."

Echoing the importance of customer focus, John Rishton explained that innovation needs an open and creative environment that accepts ideas, but it also calls for a clearer understanding of what customers are looking for. He said, "Making something that nobody wants may be innovative but it doesn't help anybody. So the close link between our customers and innovation is a critical element for our success as an innovative company."

Ric Parker expanded on this theme when he shared with the audience Rolls-Royce's approach to innovation and why it sits at the heart of the company's DNA. He explained that last year Rolls-Royce invested £919 million in research and development globally, two thirds of which had the objective of further improving the environmental performance of its products, in particular reducing emissions.

During the anniversary reception where Rolls-Royce recognised the support of both customers and partners, The President of the Xi'an Aero-Engine Group, with whom Rolls-Royce formed the joint venture XRA in 1997, presented John Rishton with a commemorative Chinese edition of the book The Magic of a Name: The Rolls-Royce Story. It represented a token of long-lasting friendship.