On 23 April 2026, the China-Britain Business Council (CBBC) and the China Chamber of Commerce in the UK (CCCUK) jointly hosted a briefing on China’s high-quality development and China-UK economic and trade cooperation in London. Ma Jiantang, Member of the Standing Committee of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and Deputy Director of its Economic Affairs Committee, delivered a keynote speech. More than 150 participants from the UK government, business and academic circles attended the event. Also present were Wu Hongbo, former Special Representative of the Chinese Government on European Affairs, and Jin Li, the Vice President of Southern University of Science and Technology, who were both members of Vice Chairman Ma’s delegation. Chinese Ambassador to the UK Zheng Zeguang, CBBC Chief Executive Peter Burnett and CCCUK Chairman Fang Wenjian delivered remarks at the event.

Vice Chairman Ma gave a comprehensive briefing on the formulation process and key content of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan and the new opportunities it brings to countries around the world, and outlined prospects for China-UK economic and trade cooperation. He stressed that the scientific formulation and implementation of successive Five-Year Plans is an important governance experience of the Communist Party of China and an important political strength of socialism with Chinese characteristics. During the 15th Five-Year Plan period, China will focus on advancing high-quality development, expanding domestic demand, accelerating technological innovation, and pursuing smart, green and integrated development. Through the implementation of the AI Plus Initiative, China will speed up upgrading key traditional industries, and foster emerging and future industries. China will further expand high-standard opening up and share development opportunities with countries around the world. China’s continued high-quality development will create new opportunities for Europe and the UK, and open up broader prospects for closer China-UK cooperation in a wide range of areas including trade, finance, services and clean energy.

Ambassador Zheng noted in his remarks that the strong performance of the Chinese economy in the first quarter augurs well for the implementation of the 15th Five-Year Plan. The competitiveness of Chinese products stems primarily from technological innovation and economies of scale. China’s ascent in the global value chain is an irreversible trend. In the face of shock waves from unilateralism, protectionism, and conflicts in the Middle East and other regions, China and Europe, especially the UK, should work more closely to uphold true multilateralism and free trade and expand two-way trade and investment. China and the UK should follow through on the important common understandings reached by their leaders and ensure steady progress in bilateral relations along the track of a long-term and consistent comprehensive strategic partnership. 

During their stay in London, Vice Chairman Ma and his delegation also held discussions with representatives of friendly political parties in the UK and met with representatives of leading UK media outlets.