Chinese Premier Li Qiang highlighted the need for China and Britain to continue their cooperation with an “ice-breaking spirit” during the closing ceremony of the 2026 UK-China Business Council meeting in Beijing on Thursday. Premier Li emphasized that both countries, as responsible major powers, have a shared responsibility to address global challenges and promote mutual development.
Mutual Benefits through Continued Cooperation
Li described China and Britain as important economic and trade partners with extensive common interests. He noted that as long as both nations prioritize mutual respect, openness, and cooperation, they can achieve win-win results and create mutual prosperity. Li further emphasized that despite facing economic pressure last year, China demonstrated resilience and vitality, pushing forward with innovation-led and high-quality development.
China’s Five-Year Economic Outlook
With the 15th Five-Year Plan set to begin this year, Li projected that China’s economic aggregate would reach a new level over the next five years. He highlighted the importance of structural optimization and the expansion of new growth drivers, which he believes will provide significant opportunities for China-UK cooperation in various sectors.
Four Areas of Focus for Strengthened Cooperation
Li outlined four key areas where China and Britain could intensify their cooperation:
- Expanding Bilateral Trade: Both countries can work to increase trade in services, focusing on this as a new growth point.
- Fostering Innovation: China and the UK can collaborate on cutting-edge fields such as artificial intelligence, clean energy, biomedicine, and high-end manufacturing.
- Tripartite Cooperation: The two nations can explore new markets, particularly in Southern countries, for win-win collaborations.
- People-to-People Exchanges: Fostering deeper connections between the peoples of China and Britain through cultural exchange projects, enhancing both economic and cultural ties.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Remarks
Visiting UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer also spoke at the closing ceremony, emphasizing the importance of understanding China more deeply. He expressed a desire to explore opportunities that could benefit both the British people and China. Starmer encouraged entrepreneurs and organizations in both countries to engage in closer dialogue and cooperation, aiming for stronger economic ties.
Conclusion
The discussions and agreements highlighted at the UK-China Business Council meeting point to a bright future for China-UK cooperation, with opportunities for growth in trade, innovation, and people-to-people exchanges. Both countries are poised to benefit from deepening their economic relationship, with shared efforts in addressing global challenges and driving technological advancements.
Read Also
Meta to Trial Premium Subscriptions for Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp
