News
CBBC Chair Visit to Beijing
The China-Britain Business Council (CBBC)’s Chair Visit continued in Beijing this week. Beginning on Wednesday, 12 November, CBBC Chair Sir Sebastian Wood led a senior delegation including Former Chair Sir Sherard Cowper-Coles, Chief Executive Peter Burnett, Managing Director for China Tom Simpson, and executives from member companies for a series of programmes in Beijing.
Meeting with IDCPC Vice Minister
On Wednesday, 12 November, Sir Sebastian Wood and Sir Sherard Cowper-Coles led the CBBC delegation in a meeting with Mr. Ma Hui, Vice Minister of the International Department of the Central Committee of the CPC (IDCPC). The meeting was also attended by His Majesty's Ambassador to China Peter Wilson CMG.
Vice Minister Ma briefed the delegation on the guiding principles of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, noting that the top-level planning for China’s economic and social development over the next five years will inject fresh vitality into China–UK cooperation. He emphasised China’s readiness to deepen practical collaboration with the UK in finance, green energy, technology, and other key sectors, to achieve mutual benefit and shared development.
CBBC representatives expressed the UK business community’s interest in China’s development blueprint for the next five years. CBBC reiterated its commitment to expanding cooperation with Chinese partners in education, finance, life sciences, healthcare and more—contributing to economic progress and improved wellbeing in both countries.
Meeting with CPIFA Vice President
On Thursday 13 November, Sir Sebastian Wood and Sir Sherard Cowper-Coles led the CBBC delegation in a meeting with Mr. Yang Tao, Vice President of the Chinese People’s Institute of Foreign Affairs (CPIFA). Ms. Wang Mei, Director General of the Department of European Affairs of CPIFA, also joined the meeting. Both sides exchanged views on China–UK relations and economic cooperation, agreeing to deepen dialogue and strengthen future collaboration. The discussion highlighted promoting partnership between the UK and China in the financial services sector and emphasised the hope to further facilitate visits by UK citizens and business delegations to China.
Visiting Xiaomi Headquarters
Later on Thursday 13 November, Sir Sebastian Wood and Sir Sherard Cowper-Coles, together with representatives of CBBC member companies, visited the Xiaomi Headquarters in Beijing’s Haidian District. The delegation held discussions with Xiaomi’s team on the company’s marketing strategy and overseas expansion plans, as well as ways CBBC can support Xiaomi in these efforts, including connecting the company with leading UK service providers.