While speaking at the release of the Online Exhibition of Achievements of Chinese Enterprises in the UK on 28 June, Ambassador Zheng Zeguang highlighted the need for Chinese and British companies to carry forward the “icebreaking” spirit.

China-UK trade and economic cooperation could not have been so successful without the contribution of business leaders from both countries. Sixty-eight years ago, visionary people from the British business community, including Jack Perry, broke through the blockade and started trading with China. They are hailed as the “icebreakers”.

Today, after more than half a century, the international environment has had profound change and so have China and the UK. But the “icebreaking” spirit is still needed, and while carrying it forward, the business communities should give it a new dimension that reflects the times:

“We must break the “ice of outdated mindset” and establish sound interactions featuring mutual trust and mutual learning; we must break the “ice of protectionism” and build an open and inclusive world economy”, said Zheng.