China – A Northern Business Briefing will take place at Teesside International Airport Skybar on 24 September, from 12 noon to 2.30pm. The event is being promoted by Recognition PR as part of the Northern Business Podcast, and will bring together policy specialists, trade experts and business leaders with direct experience of working in and with China.

The briefing follows the UK Government’s renewed focus on strengthening commercial links with China after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s visit to Beijing and Shanghai in January 2026, which was accompanied by a delegation of nearly 60 British business and cultural organisations. China remains one of the world’s most significant economies and a major trading partner for the UK, making the ability to understand its policy direction, market conditions and business culture increasingly important for ambitious exporters.

The event will examine the implications of China’s emerging 15th Five-Year Plan, including the likely emphasis on industrial upgrading, innovation, technology, domestic market strength and high-quality development. It will also explore how UK businesses can approach opportunities in China with realism, cultural awareness and commercial confidence.

Speakers are expected to include Edward Knight from the Tony Blair Institute, who will provide policy and economic insight into China’s direction and what its five-year planning priorities may mean for global trade, manufacturing, technology and investment. Edward is a Chinese trade and political expert who supports political leaders globally in understanding China’s economic and geopolitical evolution. His work has been covered by the BBC, Al Jazeera and the South China Morning Post.

James Brodie from the China-Britain Business Council will discuss the current state of UK-China trade and how British firms can engage more effectively with market opportunities. 

The programme will also include companies with first-hand commercial experience of China, including Xcel Broadcast, a North East digital media production company that broadcasts and streams major sporting events from China.

A Chinese business culture specialist will also offer practical guidance on first visits to China, communication styles, expectations, relationship-building and common mistakes to avoid.

Graham Robb, Senior Partner at Recognition PR, who will chair the briefing, said: “China is too important for northern businesses to ignore, but it is also a market that requires preparation, understanding and cultural sensitivity. This briefing is designed to give senior business leaders clear, practical insight into where China is heading, what the UK’s changing approach may mean for trade, and how companies in the North can make informed decisions about future opportunities.”

He added: “We want this to be a realistic discussion. It will look at opportunity, but also at the practical challenges of doing business in China, from market access and policy priorities to the importance of relationships, communication and first impressions.”

The briefing is aimed at business owners and senior leaders across the North East who want to better understand where China fits into the UK’s trade future and how to approach the market with greater confidence.

Registration:

To register or request further information, contact Graham Robb, Senior Partner, Recognition PR, at graham.robb@recognitionpr.co.uk.