This year at CIFIT, the UK was the Country of Honour and through the CIFIT platform, offered Chinese investors and UK businesses valuable opportunities for exchange, while highlighting the UK’s unique strengths as a global hub for business and investment. With nearly $110 billion invested across close to 2,500 transactions from 2020 until present day, the UK has long been the leading European destination for Chinese capital. Building on this foundation, the investment environment continues to improve, with the UK offering a distinctive combination of market openness, stability, global connectivity, strategic clarity, financial and professional services expertise, innovation, and access to a globally competitive talent pool.

Building on the success of last year’s inaugural conference, UKIC 2025 attracted more than 200 attendees and 20 speakers including senior representatives from the governments of both China and the UK, executives from Chinese companies looking to expand their strategies in the UK market, as well as UK firms supporting international collaboration.

This year, the UKIC 2025 explored the current UK investment landscape for Chinese investors, and the opportunities for stronger UK-China partnerships, as well as the growing internationalisation of China’s private sector and deepening UK-China government collaboration.

A key highlight of the conference was the launch of the UK Investment Guide - UK Investment Conference Edition, which presents successful case studies, guidance and valuable insights to help Chinese investors thrive in the UK market. 

Click here to download the Guide

In his welcome remarks, Peter Burnett, Chief Executive, CBBC said: “The UK stands as one of the world’s most open and attractive destinations for global investment. It is businesses like yours that bring this to life—by choosing to invest, collaborate, and innovate with us. From London, the world’s leading financial and professional services centre, to dynamic regional clusters in advanced manufacturing, clean energy, life sciences, and digital technology, the UK offers a wealth of opportunities for meaningful partnerships.” 

In the opening remarks, Yang Hao, Inspector at level 2 (Deputy Director General Level), Department of Outward Investment and Economic Cooperation, MOFCOM noted: "We hope businesses on both sides will continue to deepen practical cooperation and foster new drivers of growth. At the same time, it is important to maintain open and pragmatic investment policies, particularly ensuring transparency and consistency. Foreign investment reviews should be conducted in line with principles of fairness, transparency, and non-discrimination, so as to provide the necessary support and facilitation for China–UK investment cooperation and effectively safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of companies and individuals from both sides."

John Edwards, Director, Chief Operating Officer, Office for Investment said: "The UK is one of the world’s most attractive investment destinations – a trusted hub for growth, international finance, and world-class professional services. Looking ahead, we aim to forge deeper partnerships with China, broaden the UK’s access to wider European markets, and enhance its global connectivity. This will give Chinese companies even greater confidence in their international strategies. Over the past two days, we have engaged with many businesses and seen fresh opportunities for investment in the UK. We hope more Chinese enterprises and brands will establish a presence, invest, and contribute to the shared prosperity of both our countries."

The event saw the Introduction of Guidebooks for Overseas Investment and Economic Cooperation by Country/Region - United Kingdom by Wang Xuekun, President of Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, MOFCOM.

Launch of CBBC-CCPIT Xiamen Legal Service Workstation by You Yuhong, Secretary General of CCPIT Xiamen and Kiran Patel, Senior Director Commercial & Deputy Head of China, CBBC.
 

Keynote Speeches:

Tang Zhenyi, Executive Vice President & Head of Banking China, Corporate and Institutional Banking, HSBC introduced how HSBC supports Chinese and UK companies in gaining more business opportunities in bilateral trade and shared insights on new trends of Chinese investment in the UK, as well as experiences of Chinese companies exploring new overseas markets. At HSBC we remain fully committed to creating opportunities for bilateral trade and investment between the two markets, and to supporting more Chinese enterprises to "succeed in the UK". 
 

Daisy Shen, Partner, Head of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG), KPMG China, Advisory Head of Energy & Natural Resources, presented on new opportunities for Chinese companies in green globalisation and international cooperation. She shared perspectives on the trends of Chinese companies going global, investment cases, and advice for enterprises expanding overseas. 

Hu Guangwen, Deputy General Manager of the Corporate Banking Department, ICBC Head Office, introduced how ICBC supports global businesses operating in China, while also helping Chinese companies “go global” to strengthen and grow their businesses. 

Fireside Chat:

Janet Coyle CBE, Managing Director, Grow London at London & Partners, joined Tom Simpson, Managing Director, China, CBBC, for the event’s opening fireside chat. During the discussion, Janet Coyle highlighted London’s appeal to Chinese companies and investors, showcasing high-growth potential sectors such as carbon neutrality, life sciences, and artificial intelligence. She also outlined how London & Partners supports enterprises in their global expansion. 
 

The second fireside chat was chaired by Peter Burnett, Chief Executive of CBBC.The session featured Azlina Bulmer, International Director, ICAEW, discussed how professional services and accounting standards can build global platforms to facilitate bilateral cooperation between China and the UK. 

Panel Discussion:

The conference also had two panel discussions:

Panel Discussion 1 - From Challenge to Champions: Insights from Chinese companies on how to succeed in the UK market

First-hand insights on overcoming the challenges, finding the right partners and seizing opportunities to succeed in the UK market.

• Moderator: WANG Feng, Editor in Chief, FTChinese
• Lawrence Lu Hui, Co-Head of Corporate Banking Department, ICBC (London) Plc
• Sean Song ICAEW ACA, Chief Financial Officer and Member of the Board of Directors, Mobvista Inc
• Wu Lin, Secretary General, China Chamber of Commerce in the UK
• Zhang Chao, Director, Senior Vice President of Mingyang Smart Energy 
   

Panel Discussion 2 – Guiding Growth: Supporting Chinese Investors to navigate the UK Market

Demonstrating the UK’s expertise, networks and support shaping the pathway for Chinese investors to navigate and thrive in the UK.

• Moderator: Matt Crossman, Deputy Trade Commissioner & Minister Counsellor, Department for Business & Trade, British Embassy Beijing
• Andrew Toolan, Head of Inward Investment - Financial, Professional and Business Services; Strategic Account Specialist, MIDAS
• Matt Jackson, Principal, Head of UK-China Business, KPMG
• Vomic Nur Shah, Global Head of Origination & Client Coverage, UK Export Finance, UKEF
• Zhao Bingbing, Chief Representative, Greater China, London & Partners