On 6 October, Ambassador Liu Xiaoming had a video meeting with Sir John Peace, Chairman of Midlands Engine and coordinator of UK sponsor for the 5th China-UK Regional Leaders Summit. The two sides exchanged views on China-UK relations and sub-national exchanges between the two countries. Midlands Engine Programme Director Rachael Greenwood was present.

Ambassador Liu Xiaoming updated Sir John on the current China-UK relationship. Since the outbreak of the COVID-19, leaders of the two countries have maintained close communication, and the two sides have been working together to fight the pandemic, resume economic activities in an orderly manner, and enhance business and investment cooperation. China attaches great importance to sub-national cooperation with the UK. Recently, the Ambassador held talks with leaders of Northern Ireland and Greater Manchester to explore ways to deepen cooperation. In the next stage, the two sides should work hand in hand on the preparations for the 5th China-UK Regional Leaders Summit, reject political disruption, promote sub-national exchanges, strengthen the alignment of development strategies and expand mutually beneficial cooperation. British businesses are welcomed to give full play to their strengths and participate actively in the China International Import Expo and China Import and Export Fair, so as to expand mutual benefit and win-win results.

As China and the UK get ready to host the COP15 and COP26 next year respectively, the Ambassador hoped that the regional governments would seize the opportunities and engage vigorously in the events so as to enhance cooperation in environmental protection, climate change and green development and contribute to the sustainable development of the two countries and beyond.

Sir John said, China is the first country to effectively control the COVID-19 outbreak, which is admirable. It is very important for the UK and China to jointly fight the pandemic. He expressed his appreciation for China’s support and assistance in providing PPE supplies to the UK, which bore witness to the friendship between the peoples of the two countries. In recent years, Midlands has seen progress in the cooperation with China in business, science and technology. Midlands Engine has always been committed vigorously to developing relations with China and is ready to continue to leverage the strengths of Midlands in science & technology, education and other fields to achieve more fruitful results in its cooperation with China in business, education, science & technology, and health care. He said that Midlands welcomed Chinese companies and investments.

Sir John spoke highly of President Xi Jinping’s announcement at the United Nations General Assembly that China will achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. He also mentioned Prime Minister Johnson’s speech on climate change and biodiversity at the UNGA, saying that China and the UK face important opportunities in collaboration on climate change and environmental protection. Midlands Engine will participate actively in the cooperation between the two countries in green energy and other fields. He expressed his willingness to maintain close communication with the Chinese side on the 5th China-UK Regional Leaders Summit, hoping that the Chinese Embassy would continue to provide assistance.