During the visit, the delegation met with Ling Ji, Vice Minister of Commerce and Deputy China International Trade Representative; Ren Hongbin, Chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT); and Liao Min, Vice Minister of Finance. The delegation also held discussions with State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR), the Beijing Municipal Government and China Finance 40 Forum (CF40).

The meetings provided an opportunity to discuss issues of importance to CBBC members and to further strengthen commercial engagement between the UK and China.

Meeting with CF40 Think Tank

On Monday, 1 June, Sir Sebastian Wood met with Dr Guo Kai, Executive President of the Research Institute, CF40.

The two sides conducted an in-depth discussion on pressing topics relating to China's economy and trade with major partners, including the recovery of the housing market, efforts to raise domestic demand, the underlying reasons behind China's significant trade surplus with Europe, and potential avenues for fiscal reform.

Meeting with Ministry of Commerce

On Monday, 1 June, Sir Sebastian Wood and representatives from British companies met with Ling Ji, Vice Minister of Commerce and Deputy China International Trade Representative. Following the meeting, the Investment Promotion Agency of the Ministry of Commerce and CBBC signed an MoU on Two-Way Investment Promotion Cooperation.

During the meeting, companies were invited to raise their current concerns directly with the Vice Minister and his team, following which the officials directly responded to the points raised.

Updates were also exchanged on preparations for the next JETCO dialogue and both sides discussed how to realise the potential of CBBC's new UK-China Business and Innovation Hub in Suzhou.

Meeting with State Administration for Market Regulation

On Tuesday, 2 June, Sir Sebastian Wood and representatives of British companies met with Xiao Han, Director-General of International Department, SAMR. Both sides recognised the current "window of opportunity" that exists for deepening business activity between the UK and China, and DG Xiao encouraged an open and frank exchange on specific issues, which was greatly appreciated.

During the meeting, companies were invited to raise current concerns with the relevant SAMR departmental counterparts, following which the officials directly responded to the points raised and agreed to follow up on several of the issues after the meeting.

Meeting with China Council for Promotion of International Trade

On Tuesday, 2 June, Sir Sebastian Wood met with Ren Hongbin, Chairman of CCPIT. The pair engaged in a warm conversation covering each organisation's activity across the UK and China, including Chairman Ren's recent visit to the UK and engagement with CCPIT in Chongqing during Western China International Fair for Investment and Trade (WCIFIT).

The two sides discussed upcoming events where they could continue to promote UK-China business collaboration, including at CCPIT's flagship China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE) and CBBC's upcoming UK Investment Conference in Shanghai on 15 September.

Meeting with Ministry of Finance

On Wednesday, 3 June, Sir Sebastian Wood met with Liao Min, Vice Minister of Finance. The pair engaged in an in-depth discussion covering a list of topics from Chinese financial regulation to EFD and how to grow services trade between the UK and China.

Sebastian raised policy and operational concerns on behalf of some of CBBC's financial and professional services firms, to which Liao Min and his team responded.

Overall, it was a fast-paced three days of meetings which delivered valuable opportunities for members to engage Ministerial officials and regulators and exchange views on key issues relating to UK-China trade and investment.

CBBC will continue to ensure the voices of its members are heard at the highest levels of both governments, and we are now ramping up preparation to support a successful 15th JETCO in London. As always, please contact your account managers if you have any questions or updates to share.

China-Britain Business Council

8th June 2026