PM and Mr May to visit China
The Prime Minister will visit China for three days from today in a trip intended to build on the existing strong ties between our two countries.
The Prime Minister will visit China for three days from today in a trip intended to build on the existing strong ties between our two countries. This will be the second time the Prime Minister has visited the country, following her attendance at the G20 in Hangzhou in September 2016.
The Prime Minister will be accompanied by Philip May and the Secretary of State for International Trade, who will head up a large multi-sector business delegation.
The 50 businesses and organisations represent all corners of the UK and sectors in which the UK excels and comprise the largest business delegation this Government has ever led.
Trade between the UK and China is already at record levels and UK exports to China have grown by over 60% since 2010.
With China expected to be one of the UK’s largest foreign investors by 2020, the visit will focus on exploring new opportunities for British business both now and post-Brexit – maximising the benefit to the UK from China’s economic opening.
The Prime Minister’s visit will intensify the “Golden Era” in UK-China relations, which was heralded by President Xi’s State Visit to the UK in 2015.
As Permanent Members of the UN Security Council, the UK and China already work closely together on a range of international issues such as North Korea, climate change, and global health.
During the visit, the Prime Minister will also discuss closer UK-China cooperation to address global challenges in support of the rules-based international system.
The Prime Minister will say this is essential for the preservation of international peace and stability.
She will emphasise that the UK is a champion of global free trade and making the global economy work for everyone.
She will state that improving the global trade rule book, with the World Trade Organisation at the centre, is in both our interests.
The Prime Minister will visit Wuhan, Beijing and Shanghai.
Speaking ahead of the visit, the Prime Minister said,
“The UK and China are both global powers with a global outlook and I am committed to deepening our strong and vital partnership with what is one of the world’s fastest growing economies.
“Our relationship is already broad and deep, and it delivers real benefits for both countries.
“We are working together to tackle global and regional security challenges such as North Korea, climate change and environmental pollution, and to develop our strong bilateral trade, investment and cultural links.
“There are huge trade opportunities in China that we want to help British businesses take advantage of.
“That is why I’m taking a large multi-sector business delegation with me, representing all corners of the UK and sectors in which the UK excels.
“My visit will intensify the “Golden Era” in UK-China relations. The depth of our relationship means we can have frank discussions on all issues.”
International Trade Secretary Dr Liam Fox said:
“Trade between our two countries is already worth more than £59bn and UK exports to China increased by over 25% last year. Our relationship is now more important than ever, as we look to form new trading bonds with the biggest growing markets around the world. Indeed, China’s middle class is expected to number 600 million by 2020 - greater than the current entire population of the EU - presenting unrivalled opportunities for UK business.
“That is why I’m joining the Prime Minister this week, in leading a delegation of over fifty UK businesses to China, from tech SMEs to household names in the energy and infrastructure sectors. Together we are showcasing the best of British and promoting the UK as a great place to invest, creating further jobs and prosperity across the UK.”
Notes to editors
The business delegation will be made up of 50 companies and organisations from across all regions of the UK and its devolved administrations. 60 per cent of the delegation are small to medium-sized companies, and 26 per cent are women.
The delegation includes companies from the financial services; healthcare & life sciences; food & drink; advanced manufacturing; tech; energy; education and infrastructure sectors.
Delegation list: Jane King, Chief Executive Officer, Agriculture & Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) Gregory Hodkinson, Chairman, Arup Dr Andy Palmer CMG, President & CEO, Aston Martin Lagonda Pascal Soriot, Chief Executive Officer, AstraZeneca Jessica Butcher MBE, Co-founder & Non Executive Director, Blippar Dev Sanyal, Chief Executive, Alternative Energy, and Executive Vice President, Regions, BP plc Caroline Wright, Director General, British Educational Suppliers Association Evelyn Bourke, Group CEO, Bupa John Woodward OBE, President & Founder, Busy Bees Nursery Group Jeanette Walker, Director, Cambridge Science Park Sir George Iacobescu CBE, Chairman & CEO, Canary Wharf Group plc Lord Sassoon, Chairman (and Executive Director, Jardine Matheson Holdings), China-Britain Business Council Carolyn Fairbairn, Director-General, Confederation of British Industry Joanna Lavan, Managing Director, ConnectChina Nick Carpenter, Owner & Engineering Director, Delta Motorsport David Harland, Chief Executive Eden Project International, Eden Project Dr Kevin Lindsey, Managing Director, Far-UK Conrad Ford, Chief Executive, Funding Options Dr George Gillespie OBE, CEO, HORIBA MIRA Mark E Tucker, Chairman, HSBC Holdings plc Stephen Martin, Director General, Institute of Directors Professor Dr Ralf Speth, CEO, Jaguar Land Rover Ross McMahon, CEO, Kendal Nutricare Sally Preston, Founder and Managing Director, Kiddylicious Nikhil Rathi, CEO, London Stock Exchange Group Dr Jens Ludmann, Chief Operating Officer, McLaren Automotive Dr Ian Hudson, CEO, Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) Dan Vahdat, CEO, Medopad Brian McConville, Owner & Chairman, MJM Marine Andrew Henderson, Managing Director, NeMi Dairy Stuart Garner, CEO, Norton Motorcycles Robert McFarlane, Group Chairman & CEO, NPL Group Paul Priestman, Chairman, PriestmanGoode Jon Vollemaere, CEO, R5FX Hugo Spowers, Managing Director, Riversimple Movement Andrew Rooney, Managing Director, Rooney Fish Karen Betts, Chief Executive, Scotch Whisky Association Chris Fraser, CEO, Sirius Minerals Bill Winters CBE, Group Chief Executive, Standard Chartered Bank Sir Gerry Grimstone, Chairman, Standard Life Aberdeen plc Andrew Chaloner, CEO, Stream Bio Asher Bennett, CEO, Tevva Motors Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell, President & Vice-Chancellor, The University of Manchester Lesley Davies OBE, Chair, UK Skills Partnership Professor Dame Janet Beer, President (& Vice-Chancellor of the University of Liverpool), Universities UK Heba Bevan, Chief Executive Officer & Founder, UtterBerry Neill Ricketts, CEO, Versarien Mark Dunhill, CEO, Whittard of Chelsea Jonathan Quin, CEO and Co-Founder, WorldFirst Douglas Flint, Chancellor’s City Envoy to the Belt and Road Initiative