A: The UK is the first country to sign a memorandum of understanding on “Export to China” cooperation with China, and is also one of the five feature countries of this year’s “Export to China” initiative. The “Export to China” UK Session held in London on July 1, as a concrete step to implement the important economic and trade consensus reached by the leaders of China and the UK, received strong support and active response from both the governments and business communities of the two countries. Minister Wang Wentao and Secretary of State for Business and Trade Peter Kyle both attended and addressed the event. Representatives from around 40 Chinese companies traveled to London for this event, with sincerity for cooperation, while over 100 UK companies attended the event, demonstrating the great importance they attach to the Chinese market. The two sides conducted targeted matchmaking and discussions, covering multiple areas of cooperation including automobiles, energy and chemicals, instruments and meters, sporting events, and life sciences.

The event was highly commended by the UK side. Secretary of State for Business and Trade Peter Kyle noted that the UK’s newly launched industrial development strategy is highly aligned with China’s 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30), creating opportunities for cooperation. The two sides can enhance mutual understanding and work together through dialogue, maintain the stability of bilateral economic and trade relations, and deliver benefits to the people of both countries.

Sebastian Wood, Chair of the China-Britain Business Council, noted that the Chinese minister’s visit to a country specially to promote that country’s exports to China is globally unprecedented. This is also a concrete step for China to expand imports from the UK, demonstrating China’s commitment to expanding imports from around the world. Thanks to the reduction of China’s import tariffs, Diageo’s whisky exports to China have continued to grow; AstraZeneca, with confidence in China’s scientific and technological innovation capabilities and manufacturing capacity, has continued to expand its investment in China; and Glasgow Airport has strengthened cooperation with Chinese aviation companies to help facilitate the export of the UK’s competitive products to China. All these fully showcase the enormous potential and bright prospects of China-UK cooperation.

The UK is also an important services trade partner for China. Bilateral trade in services between China and the UK exceeded USD 30 billion in 2025, and there remains huge potential to be tapped. China is ready to work with the UK to accelerate the joint feasibility study on a China-UK services trade agreement, so as to create favorable conditions for further enhancing the level of bilateral services trade cooperation.