Sir Sebastian Wood KCMG, Chair of the China-Britain Business Council (CBBC), attended the opening ceremony alongside senior government representatives including Fan Bo, Member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Jiangsu Provincial Committee and Secretary of the CPC Suzhou Municipal Committee; Zhao Yan, Vice Governor of Jiangsu Province attended the opening ceremony.

A joint initiative between CBBC and the Jiangsu Provincial Government, the Hub is designed as a two-way platform to support UK businesses entering and expanding in China, while enabling Chinese companies to explore opportunities in the UK market. Beyond market-entry support, the Hub will also serve as a focal point for policy dialogue, business exchange and industry collaboration between the UK and China, bringing together government, business and innovation partners from both countries.

The opening ceremony brought together over 100 representatives from government, business and industry across the UK and China, highlighting growing interest in bilateral commercial and innovation partnerships.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Sir Sebastian Wood KCMG, Chair of CBBC, said:

“This is a significant moment for UK-China business. The Hub will be a platform designed to help companies from both countries work together, grow together and innovate together.

More than just an office space, the Hub will serve as a centre for exchange — bringing together businesses, government stakeholders, universities, and innovators to collaborate, share ideas, and develop new partnerships.

With our partners in the Jiangsu and Suzhou governments, the British government and businesses from both countries, we at CBBC will work to make the Hub a vibrant centre of activity—allowing companies to develop their businesses and help shape the future of our economic relationship.”

At the ceremony, nine cooperation projects across sectors including financial services, exhibition economy and cross-border investment signed MoUs to signal their intention to establish a presence at the Hub.

Present at the event were Lewis Neal, HM Trade Commissioner for China; Matt Burney CMG, British Consul-General Shanghai, Peter Burnett, Chief Executive, CBBC; Tom Simpson, Managing Director & Chief Representative, China, CBBC; Huang Yuefeng, Deputy Director-General of the Department of European Affairs, Ministry of Commerce; Xu Huaqin, Deputy Secretary General of Jiangsu Provincial People's Government; Chen Xiaodong, Deputy Director of the Department of Commerce of Jiangsu Province; Shen Yanfei, Deputy Director of the Foreign Affairs Office of Jiangsu Province; Wang Shanhua, Chairman of China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, Jiangsu Sub-Council; Huang Aijun, Deputy Secretary of the CPC Suzhou Municipal Committee, Chairman and Secretary of the Standing Committee of the Suzhou Municipal People's Congress; Ji Jing, Vice Mayor of Suzhou, and leading officials of Suzhou High-tech Zone.