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Initiated by CBBC, the first conference took place in Qianhai in 2023, making this the third edition. The conference aims to help British enterprises gain a deeper understanding of the industrial development trends and policy advantages of the GBA, and to support the region’s further internationalisation through an international cooperation and exchange platform. 

Centred on the theme of “The Greater Bay Area as a Strategic Gateway,” this year’s conference features a series of dialogues focusing on cooperation in finance, technology, platform development, and related sectors. In addition, two parallel sub-forums were held in the afternoon, delving into “The Greater Bay Area: A Strategic Gateway for International Enterprises to Enter the Chinese Market” and “Overseas Development for Chinese Companies via the Greater Bay Area.” 

Over 200 guests from government and business attended the conference, including Huang Xiaopeng, Deputy Secretary of CPC Working Committee of Qianhai Cooperation Zone and First Deputy Director General of Qianhai Authority; Chen Guoqing, Level Ⅱ Bureau-Rank Official of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Guangdong Committee (Guangdong Chamber of International Commerce); Sir Sherard Cowper-Coles, former Chair of CBBC; Peter Wilson CMG, His Majesty’s Ambassador to China; Sir Sebastian Wood KCMG, Chair of CBBC; Sarah Mann, British Consul-General in Guangzhou; Peter Burnett, Chief Executive of CBBC; and Tom Simpson, Managing Director, China, CBBC. 

In his speech, Sir Sherard Cowper-Coles, the former Chair of the China-Britain Business Council (CBBC), described the Greater Bay Area as having become a “global bay area.” He noted that the UK, with its extensive expertise in finance, professional services, life sciences, and other sectors, is well positioned to complement China’s development priorities, particularly in upgrading consumption and enhancing the services sector under the 15th Five-Year Plan. Under this shared perspective, China and the UK are well placed to pursue deeper collaboration in these key areas and jointly contribute to global development. 

Huang Xiaopeng, Deputy Secretary of CPC Working Committee of Qianhai Cooperation Zone and First Deputy Director General of the Qianhai Authority, stated that as a national-level strategic platform, Qianhai has maintained close economic ties with British businesses. From January to October this year, the import and export volume between Qianhai-based enterprises and the UK reached 1.52 billion US dollars. British enterprises have established 59 investment projects in Qianhai, with a total investment of 560 million US dollars. He emphasized that Qianhai is willing to strengthen cooperation with the China-Britain Business Council and welcomes its member enterprises to invest and develop here, joining hands to achieve more mutually beneficial results. Meanwhile, he welcomed entrepreneurs from all over the world to gather in Shenzhen next year and participate in the grand occasion of APEC 2026. 

His Majesty’s Ambassador to China, Peter Wilson CMG, emphasised the importance of building a UK–China relationship that is “consistent, long-term and strategic.” He noted that the UK has significant strengths in financial services, life sciences, and clean energy, and has already nurtured 168 AI “unicorn” companies worth over one billion dollars, ranking third globally in terms of economic contribution. Building on these strengths, he stresses the needs to leverage the UK’s expertise in financial services, commercial enterprise, and broader political engagement to promote collaboration between the UK and the Greater Bay Area, and to further strengthen bilateral cooperation and partnership between the UK and China.  

In his speech, Chen Guoqing, Level II Bureau-Rank Official, China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Guangdong Committee (Guangdong Chamber of International Commerce), stated that the Greater Bay Area boasts unique geographical advantages, an innovative industrial system, and comprehensive infrastructure, making it one of China’s most open and economically dynamic regions. As a major global economy, financial hub, and highland for technological innovation, the UK possesses profound commercial heritage, leading scientific research capabilities, and a sophisticated international market network. He emphasized that the convergence of “GBA opportunities” and “UK strengths” is bound to create more cooperation prospects for both sides. 

During the fireside chat titled “The Greater Bay Area and International Cooperation,” Sir Sebastian Wood KCMG, Chair of the China–Britain Business Council, and Qu Hongbin, Chief Economic and Trade Expert of Qianhai Authority, Vice Chair of China Chief Economist Forum, Former Chief Economist of HSBC China, discussed the discussed the role of the Greater Bay Area within China–UK cooperation. They highlighted the importance of continuously improving the business environment and strengthening scientific and technological innovation as the region advances toward greater openness. They also emphasised the natural synergy between Qianhai and Hong Kong: British companies can leverage Hong Kong as a gateway to enter Shenzhen and Qianhai and access broader markets, while Chinese companies can use Qianhai as a portal to connect with Hong Kong and expand internationally.

You find out more about the rest of the conference here as well as the break out sessions here and here

This event has received support from various partners. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the co-hosts: Qianhai International Cooperation Center and China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Guangdong Committee, the Gold Sponsor, Hawksford; and the Silver Sponsors: Honor and InvestHK.

We also extend our sincere thanks to the supporting organisations of this event: British Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong, British Chamber of Commerce South China, Workstation of Rights and Interests Protection for Shenzhen Enterprises with Foreign Investment, PHBS CIE, China Chamber of International Commerce Zhuhai Chamber of Commerce, Bole Perfect Services, Shenzhen International Busienss e-Station, Tsinghua MBA Go Beyond Association, Shenzhen Outbound Alliance, Nanshan Sub-district International Service Station, and GoGBA Business Support Center (Futian); as well as the media partner: Southern Finance Omnimedia Corporation.