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.

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. 

Meeting with Ministry of Foreign Affairs

On Monday, 17 November 2025, Sir Sebastian Wood and Sir Sherard Cowper-Coles met with Mr Li Jian, Director General of the Department of European Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in Beijing.

Meeting with Ministry of Commerce

On Tuesday, 18 November, Sir Sebastian Wood, Sir Sherard Cowper-Coles and the delegation met with Mr Yu Yuantang, Director General of the Department of European Affairs, Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China in Beijing. Both sides recognised the positive trajectory of UK-China economic relations driven by complementary strengths, financial-sector openness, and shared support for open trade.

Shanghai Leg

Meeting with Shanghai Mayor, Gong Zheng

On Friday, 14 November, Sir Sebastian Wood and Sir Sherard Cowper-Coles met with Shanghai Mayor Gong Zheng as part of their visit to the city.

UK-China Business Forum Chair Handover Luncheon

On Friday 14 November, CBBC held the UK-China Business Forum Chair Handover Luncheon in Shanghai. Senior representatives from the governments of the UK and China, including Matt Burney CMG, His Majesty’s Consul-General in Shanghai, and He Dongbin, Vice Chairman, Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce, joined over 100 guests to express their thanks and appreciation to Sir Sherard Cowper-Coles KCMG LVO for his tenure as Chair of CBBC, and to welcome Sir Sebastian Wood KCMG, Chairman of Schroder Group China and former British Ambassador to China, as he takes up the role of Chair of CBBC.

Guangzhou Leg

Meeting with Vice Governor of Guangdong, Zhang Guozhi

On Wednesday, 19 November, Sir Sebastian Wood and Sir Sherard Cowper-Coles met with Vice Governor of Guangdong, Zhang Guozhi.

Meeting with Executive Vice Mayor of Guangzhou, Chen Jie

On the afternoon of November 19, Sir Sherard Cowper-Coles, Peter Wilson CMG, His Majesty's Ambassador to China and  Sir Sebastian Woodmet with Executive Vice Mayor of Guangzhou, Chen Jie in the municipal government's reception hall. The two sides held in-depth discussions on further strengthening cooperation in areas such as trade and investment, science and technology, finance, pharmaceuticals, and energy.

Shenzhen Leg

Meeting with Vice Mayor of Shenzhen,Luo Huanghao

2025 UK-Greater Bay Area Conference

On Thursday 20 November 2025, the China-Britain Business Council (CBBC) successfully held the 3rd UK-Greater Bay Area (GBA) Conference in Qianhai, Shenzhen. 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.