On 22 September, Ambassador Liu Xiaoming had a video conversation with Ms. Vandita Pant, Chief Commercial Officer of BHP and listened to her update about BHP’s partnership with China. The two sides also exchanged views on what role the Chinese and British business communities could play in promoting China-UK cooperation on climate change.

Ambassador Liu said, BHP as a world-renowned multinational enterprise in the field of mineral resources and energy has had fruitful cooperation with China for many years and particularly since China rolled out reform and opening-up policies. China appreciates BHP’s support of in the county’s battle against COVID-19, especially during the early days of the outbreak. China now has taken the lead in the world in getting the epidemic under control and restoring its economic growth, and has become an important engine to reboot the world economy. Currently, China-UK relations are at a critical juncture. The business communities of both countries should overcome all kinds of obstacles and disruptions to promote practical cooperation and achieve mutually beneficial results.

Ambassador Liu emphasized that climate change bears on the future and destiny of mankind, and calls for joint response from all parties. China has been firm and active in tackling climate change and implementing the Paris Agreement. China and the UK will host COP15 and COP26 respectively next year. Both countries are duty bound to play a leading role in promoting collaboration in relevant fields across the world. The issue of climate change cannot be addressed without the support of business community. Ambassador Liu hoped that BHP will exert a positive influence and bring the business communities of both countries along to contribute to the success of the two conferences, and to pool their wisdom and strengths to deepen China-UK cooperation on climate change.

Ms. Pant briefed the Ambassador on BHP’s latest cooperation with its Chinese partners, saying that China is a market with the highest strategic significance and BHP, having confidence in the sustainable development of China’s economy and society, is ready to promote long-term and mutually beneficial cooperation with China. BHP attaches high importance to the protection of ecological environment and concerted response to climate change, and stands ready to continue to play a positive role in pushing forward UK-China cooperation on climate change.

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BHP, founded in 1860 and listed on the stock exchanges in Australia, London and New York, is a world-renowned multinational company engaged in petroleum and minerals. In recent years, it has become a leading global resources company, having mining business in 25 countries around the world. With its revenue standing at around $44.288 billion in fiscal year 2019, BHP is one of the fastest-growing companies among Global 500. BHP has a 120-year history of cooperation with China. In 2020, BHP completed its first cross-border RMB settlements of iron ore sales to the Baowu Group of China in May and its first blockchain iron ore trade with Baosteel in June.