China-UK (Scotland) Business Exchange and Matchmaking Conference held in Edinburgh

The China-UK (Scotland) Business Communication and Matchmaking Conference and the UK Promotion Event for the 4th China International Supply Chain Promotion Expo were held recently in Edinburgh, the United Kingdom. Representatives of political, business, and academic sectors from both China and the UK—more than 100 people in total—attended the event to discuss new opportunities for bilateral economic and trade cooperation. Ren Hongbin, Chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, led a delegation of Chinese entrepreneurs to attend and deliver remarks. He said that China-UK economic and trade cooperation has a solid foundation and broad prospects. The China Council for the Promotion of International Trade is willing to work with all sectors in the UK to expand and improve the quality of bilateral trade, tap deeper into the potential of new business models such as service trade and e-commerce, and deepen cooperation in emerging industries including artificial intelligence, clean energy, and the digital economy. It will also strengthen coordination between industrial chains and supply chains to achieve a higher level of mutual benefit and win-win outcomes. He welcomed stakeholders from the UK to actively participate in the 4th Chain Expo and jointly write a new chapter of cooperation.

John Primrose, Deputy Director-General of the Export and Foreign Investment Division of Scotland’s International Trade and Investment Agency, said that when Chinese enterprises invest in Scotland, they create a large number of jobs. The Scottish Government will continue to support the development of local businesses and the economic and trade partnership between local firms and Chinese enterprises, while also welcoming Chinese companies to invest in Scotland.

Zhang Biao, Consul General of China in Edinburgh, and Hu Fang, Executive President/CEO of Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (London) Co., Ltd., delivered remarks as well. Representatives from the UK business community attending the conference spoke positively about the stable force that China’s economic development brings to global industrial chain and supply chain development, and they look forward to deepening practical cooperation with the Chinese side in areas such as the green transition and financial services.

Peter Burnett (Chinese name: Bai Peter), President of the UK-China Trade Association, said that in the face of challenges brought by geopolitical conflicts, all parties need to jointly build strong, reliable, and sustainable supply chains.

During the conference, the China Exhibition Group conducted a special promotion of the 4th Chain Expo and signed a cooperation memorandum with relevant institutions on the UK side. (Xinhua News Agency)