Fan Bo expressed appreciation, on behalf of the Suzhou Municipal Party Committee and Municipal Government, for CBBC’s continued support for Suzhou’s development. He noted that Suzhou and the UK share a strong foundation for economic and trade cooperation, and expressed hope that CBBC would continue to play its role as a bridge between the two countries by encouraging more British companies to invest and expand in Suzhou, jointly enhancing the role of platforms such as the UK-China Business & Innovation Hub, and deepening cooperation in areas including artificial intelligence and services trade to create new opportunities for two-way investment collaboration.

Sir Sebastian Wood thanked Suzhou for its longstanding support for CBBC and British businesses operating in the city. He emphasised that CBBC will continue to promote deeper practical cooperation between the UK and China in areas including trade and investment, technological innovation and talent exchange, support more British companies investing in Suzhou, and help more Chinese companies expand internationally to achieve mutually beneficial cooperation.

From the UK side: Matt Burney CMG, British Consul-General Shanghai; Peter Burnett, Chief Executive, CBBC; Tom Simpson, Managing Director & Chief Representative, China,CBBC; and representatives of the UK business delegation.

From the China side: Huang Yuefeng, Deputy Director-General of the Department of European Affairs, Ministry of Commerce; Chen Xiaodong, Deputy Director of the Department of Commerce of Jiangsu Province; Shen Yanfei, Deputy Director of the Foreign Affairs Office of Jiangsu Province; Wang Shanhua, Chairman of China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, Jiangsu Sub-Council; Ji Jing, Vice Mayor of Suzou; Wu Qi, Deputy Party Secretary of CPC SND Working Committee,Chairman of SND Administrative Committee.