A Successful Summit

16 November

It's been a busy week for the CBBC and Britcham team in Beijing. From 2 leaders, a delegation of 50 companies, 180 dinner guests, 400 Chinese and UK companies, the overall consensus was an upbeat and productive Summit, with hints of love in the Chinese media! Well done to everyone involved. Sebastian Wood also sent these nice words: "Thank you so much for the important contribution which CBBC made to the great success of this week's UK-China Summit, the Business Summit and the associated Ministerial meetings." For those of us that were unable to attend, below is a handy summary of the successful Summit.

CBBC at the Summit - Vince Cable talks of a "positive and productive visit"
CBBC and Britcham hosted a dinner for 180 guests at the conclusion of the business summit, at which the guest of honour, Dr Vince Cable, addressed members and spoke of his "intensive, positive and productive" visit to China. The Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, was part of the largest ever UK Ministerial delegation to visit China led by the Prime Minister. Aside from the political dimension, the Minister said that he and David Cameron had addressed over 400 UK and Chinese companies at the Business Summit, at which Vice Premier Li Keqiang also spoke, and attended a ceremony with Vice Commerce Minister Gao Hucheng where 13 contracts were signed. Vince Cable admitted that the China market isn't without its challenges and noted that there is great potential for improvement, with currently only 1% of China's imports coming from the UK. He closed his after dinner speech by saying, "'With time and patience, the mulberry leaf becomes a silk gown.' This government is certainly committed to developing a fruitful, long term partnership with China."Read more about the event and Vince Cable's full speech.

Summit Statements, Agreements and Deliverables
Click on the links below for comprehensive details.

•    Overview of the Summit
•    List of the Business Summit Successes
- Announcement of commercial deals
- Further opening of Chinese market for UK firms
- Agreements that will help boost business links in and with China
- Agreements to deepen cooperation in the financial sector
- Agreement on Global Economic Issues
- Strengthened cooperation on Energy and Low Carbon
- Strengthened collaboration on innovation, R&D, and high tech industries
- Deepening exchanges in Education and Culture
•    The Prime Minister also announced a major festival
UK Now, in China in 2012, is potentially the biggest ever celebration of British arts held in China. Managed by the British Council, it will build on the success of the UK pavilion at the Shanghai Expo, take advantage of the spotlight that will be on the UK in the year of the London Olympics and strengthen the cultural links made during the China Now festival in the UK in 2008.

•    Agreed UK China Statements

Exclusive images from the Summit and behind the scenes of at events
Click here to see the images.

Chinese press coverage
Last week we gave you a selection of UK Press coverage, below is a sample of Chinese media reaction to David Cameron's visit.
- CCTV Seven o'clock News (starting at 0:55)
- Xinhua
- People's Daily
- Phoenix TV
- Chinanews.com
- People.com
A British colleague also commented:"I just joked with a Chinese friend that UK and China have "fallen in love" and they replied "YES". It's a common theme in the Chinese press."
If you have thoughts, comments or observations to share with us please email Lily Yang