On 25 November 2025, Chinese Ambassador to the UK Zheng Zeguang attended and addressed the China (Hubei)-UK Economic and Trade Cooperation Conference in London. Li Dianxun, Governor of Hubei Province; Lord Sassoon, President of the China-Britain Business Council; and John McLean, Chair of the China-UK Business Development Centre and Chair of the Institute of Directors for the City of London, also delivered remarks. Around 200 representatives from Chinese and British business communities and other sectors attended the event.
Ambassador Zheng noted that the Recommendations for Formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan, reviewed and adopted at the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, drew up a blueprint for China’s economic and social development over the next five years. He stressed that in the next five years, China will continue to pursue economic development as the central task, focus on high-quality development, and stay committed to high-standard opening up. The continuity of China’s policies, the certainty of its development, and the openness of its economy will continue to provide stability and positive momentum to the world. The recently launched “Big Market for All: Export to China” programme is a pragmatic step in China’s proactive opening up and demonstrates China’s commitment to supporting economic globalisation and upholding the multilateral trading system.
Ambassador Zheng described Hubei Province as a key component of China’s Yangtze River Economic Belt development strategy and a strategic pillar for the rise of central China. During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, Hubei achieved new breakthroughs in economic and social development. In the 15th Five-Year Plan period, the province will make its industries higher-end, smarter and greener, expand domestic demand, and boost consumption, which means limitless development potential. He called on various parties in the UK to seize these opportunities and expand practical cooperation with Hubei in areas such as trade, finance, scientific and technological innovation, shipping, education, and culture to achieve win-win outcomes.
Governor Li provided a comprehensive overview of Hubei’s geographical advantages, resource endowments, development plans, and cooperation opportunities. He extended a warm welcome for UK business and other sectors to visit and invest in Hubei and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation.
During the Conference, multiple cooperation documents were signed between Hubei and UK companies and institutions covering automobiles, logistics, tourism and other sectors.
