On 17 March 2025, H.E. Ambassador Zheng Zeguang attended the "China in Springtime: Sharing Opportunities with the World" Global Dialogue UK Session hosted by the China Media Group, the China Chamber of Commerce in the UK, and the China-Britain Business Council at invitation and delivered a keynote speech entitled “Seizing New Opportunities of China’s Development and Creating a New Future for China-UK Cooperation,” providing an in-depth briefing on the Two Sessions to people from different sectors in the UK.

Ambassador Zheng shared the key messages the Two Sessions convey to the world. First, with strong confidence and real actions, China will continue to advance Chinese modernisation with high-quality development. The Two Sessions have projected the main targets for development this year, including GDP growth of around 5%, over 12 million new urban jobs, and CPI increase of about 2%. 

China will implement a more proactive fiscal policy and a moderately accommodative monetary policy, strengthen policy coordination, and make sure that policies once set are effectively delivered. China will boost consumption and expand effective investment. The Central Government has launched a special initiative to optimise the consumption environment and encourage people to spend. At the same time, China will ensure greater support for major national projects. Private investment will be encouraged in major infrastructure projects. 

China will promote the development of new quality productive forces, fostering industries such as biomanufacturing, quantum technology, embodied AI, and 6G, and continuously advancing the AI Plus initiative and AI application in different industries. China will expand higher-standard opening up, strengthening policies to stabilise foreign trade and foreign investment, and increasing the number of countries eligible for visa-free entry. China will promote green and low-carbon transition, improving incentives for green consumption, and accelerating the development of a green and low-carbon economy. 

Despite the challenges and pressure, China remains confident in achieving our expected development goals.

Second, China will firmly act as an “enabler,” and provide more stability and positive energy for the world. China will continue to be a major engine for the global economy, a strong propeller for global sci-tech innovation, a firm leader in global green transition and a resolute defender of global peace and stability. 

China champions an equal and orderly multipolar world and universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalisation. We are ready to work with other countries to implement the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilisation Initiative, and build a community with a shared future for mankind and create a bright future of world peace and development.

Third, China’s political system is based on our national condition. It works and it delivers. The Two Sessions are a vivid practice of the whole-process people's democracy under the leadership of the CPC. This system ensures public participation throughout the entire process of governance, covering all aspects of democratic process and all sectors of society. China’s political system is our most important advantage and the secret behind the two miracles of rapid economic development and long-term social stability over the past more than 70 years.

Ambassador Zheng pointed out that China and the UK should seize opportunities, expand collaboration and create a new future of mutually beneficial cooperation. In the face of a turbulent and changing world, a stable and constructive China-UK relationship is even more important to both countries and the world.

President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Keir Starmer met in Brazil, pointing the way forward for the growth of bilateral ties. Foreign Minister Wang Yi made a successful visit to the UK and held the China-UK Strategic Dialogue with Foreign Secretary David Lammy, agreeing on the roadmap for bilateral exchanges. 

China's continued and stable development presents new opportunities for the development of China-UK relations. The two sides need to make concerted efforts to maintain the momentum of high-level exchanges, implement the outcomes of the China-UK Economic and Financial Dialogue, the China-UK Strategic Dialogue, and the China-UK Energy Dialogue, and create new highlights of cooperation in financial services, clean energy and AI. 

The two sides must uphold the principles of mutual respect, non-interference in each other's internal affairs and equality, and properly handle differences and sensitive issues. We must say no to those who have been trying to talk China down. We must say no to those who have been trying to undermine normal exchanges between our two countries. We must say no to those who have been trying to disrupt China-UK collaboration. 

As permanent members of the UN Security Council and major countries with important international influence, China and the UK should enhance communication and coordination in the UN and other multilateral fora, work together to bring stability and certainty to the world. 

It is hoped that people of insight from all walks of life in China and the UK will work together, promote mutual understanding, explore new opportunities for cooperation, and bring China-UK relations onto the track of steady and sound development.

Shen Haixiong, Vice Minister of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee and President of China Media Group, delivered a video message. Sir Sherard Cowper-Coles, Chair of the China-Britain Business Council, Lord Neil Davidson, Member of the House of Lords and former Shadow Secretary of State for Law and the Exchequer of the Labour Party, Michael Mainelli, the 695th Lord Mayor of the City of London, Xue Wenxia, Vice Chairman of the China Chamber of Commerce in the UK, and Vincent Keaveny, the 693rd Lord Mayor of the City of London, also delivered remarks. 

Participants in the dialogue exchanged views on topics such as China's high-standard opening up, AI, and China-EU cooperation, discussed the future of China-UK trade cooperation, and expressed their willingness to continue to actively participate in and promote mutually beneficial cooperation and friendly exchanges between China and the UK, and play an active role in promoting the stable development of China-UK relations. More than 150 Chinese and British guests from the government and business communities attended the event.