This meeting serves as the first stop of Sir Sherard Cowper-Coles and CBBC’s Chief Executive Andrew Seaton's 2023 visit to China, their second trip to the country this year. Also attending the meeting were Sarah Mann, British Consul General Guangzhou, Duncan Clark OBE, Vice Chair, CBBC, and Tom Simpson, Managing Director, China, CBBC. Additionally, other participants included senior executives from member companies including London & Partners, PwC, Arup, DLA Piper, HSBC, Walgreens Boots Alliance, BSI, RELX, bp, Tate & Lyle, IHG, KPMG, AstraZeneca, Smith & Nephew and Standard Chartered Bank.

Meng Fanli welcomed Sir Sherard Cowper-Coles and the delegation and gave a brief overview of Shenzhen's social and economic development. He stated that all undertakings in Shenzhen presented a prosperous and flourishing situation because of reform, opening-up, innovation, and youthful vitality. In order to achieve mutual benefits and win-win situation, it is hoped that CBBC will continue to serve as a bridge, establish closer ties with Shenzhen in areas like trade, investment, finance, technology, and culture, and encourage interactions between cities, businesses, institutions, and more.

Sir Sherard Cowper-Coles expressed optimism about Shenzhen's remarkable development over the past 40 years. He stated, "I am highly optimistic about the future of the Greater Bay Area and Shenzhen. CBBC is committed to utilising its advantages to help British businesses gain a better understanding of Shenzhen. Our aim is to encourage investments in Shenzhen, assist local enterprises in expanding into international markets, and advance collaboration between the two regions to new heights.”

Sir Sherard Cowper-Coles and the delegation will attend and speak at the CBBC’s UK-Greater Bay Area Conference tomorrow. To learn more about this event click here.