James Cleverly and Chinese Vice President Han Zheng
Image courtesy of Xinhua News Agency
James Cleverly and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi
Image courtesy of FCDO
Mr Cleverly met Chinese Vice President Han Zheng and Chinese Foreign Minister and Director of the Office of the Central Foreign and Affairs Commission Wang Yi in Beijing. For the meeting with Vice President Han, he was accompanied to the Great Hall of the People by the UK’s Ambassador to China, HMA Dame Caroline Wilson.
Xinhua reported that Chinese Vice President Han Zheng said the two sides “should uphold the spirit of mutual respect and win-win cooperation, accommodate each other’s core interests and major concerns, maintain communication in international and regional affairs, and jointly promote world peace and development.” He also said that the UK and China should create a sound business environment for economic and trade activities and actively explore new growth points for practical cooperation.
“The only way to influence China is to engage with China,” Mr Cleverly stressed in a video shared on the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office’s (FCDO) social channels. “That is why I’m here in Beijing. That is why I am meeting with Chinese ministers. That is why diplomacy is so incredibly important.”
James Cleverly and HMA Dame Caroline Wilson
Image courtesy of FCDO
Ahead of meeting Wang Yi, Cleverly chaired a roundtable with CBBC and a group of member companies at the Ambassador’s residence in Beijing. In attendance were representatives from finance, healthcare, automotive, hospitality, professional services, and education. The conversation covered China’s current economic challenges, how British business is performing in China, opportunities to grow trade and investment, as well as issues our companies face doing business in the world’s second largest market.
Throughout the visit, Cleverly’s message was clear: the UK must not shy away from engaging with China.
