China Calls for Deeper Trade and Investment Cooperation with UK Amid Steady Growth

Beijing Roundtable Highlights Bilateral Economic Ties

Beijing, China – China's Vice Minister of Commerce, Ling Ji, affirmed the steady growth of economic and trade cooperation between China and the United Kingdom, advocating for enhanced trade and investment. The statements were made during a roundtable discussion with British enterprises held in Beijing on Thursday, January 22, 2026.

The meeting, chaired by Ling Ji, who also serves as Deputy China International Trade Representative, saw the participation of key figures including British Trade Commissioner for China Lewis Neal. Representatives from approximately 30 British-funded companies and industry associations, such as the China-Britain Business Council, Swire Group, HSBC, and InterContinental Hotels Group, were also in attendance. Chinese government departments, including the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM), the General Administration of Customs, and the National Financial Regulatory Administration, were present to address inquiries from the businesses.

Call for Deeper Investment and Cooperation

During the roundtable, Ling Ji highlighted the resilience and vitality of China-UK economic and trade cooperation in recent years, attributing it to complementary industrial strengths. He urged both nations to continue deepening trade and investment, emphasizing the importance of 'win-win cooperation' and leveraging economic ties as a 'stabilizer and driving force' for bilateral relations.

Ling Ji underscored China's economic progress and its shift towards higher quality and innovation, presenting significant opportunities for foreign enterprises. He specifically noted that during China's 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030), the country plans to expand the opening-up of its services sector. British companies are particularly encouraged to explore and increase investment in areas such as:

• Consumption
• Green transition
• Technological innovation

China expressed its commitment to working with the UK to advance cooperation in services and cultivate new growth points in bilateral economic and trade ties.

UK Response and Broader Context

British Trade Commissioner for China Lewis Neal acknowledged the critical importance of economic and trade relations to the broader UK-China relationship. He noted that the UK's modern industrial strategy aligns well with China's proposals for the 15th Five-Year Plan, creating favorable conditions for expanded cooperation. British business representatives present at the meeting conveyed their confidence in the significant potential of the Chinese market and its continuously improving business environment, with the 15th Five-Year Plan further bolstering their long-term investment prospects in China.

This high-level discussion comes as UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is anticipated to visit China next week, marking the first such visit by a British Prime Minister since Theresa May in 2018. The upcoming visit signals a potential recalibration in the UK's approach to China, with Starmer's government having previously indicated a desire to reset and rebuild trade ties.

Current Trade Landscape

Recent data indicates that total trade in goods and services between the UK and China reached £103.0 billion in the four quarters leading up to the end of Q2 2025, representing a slight decrease of 0.6% compared to the previous year. During this period, UK exports to China amounted to £30.5 billion, while imports from China stood at £72.5 billion. China was identified as the UK's 4th largest trading partner, accounting for 5.5% of total UK trade. The UK recorded a total trade deficit of £42.0 billion with China in the four quarters to the end of Q2 2025, though it maintained a services surplus of £9.7 billion.