Six 'icebreakers' in Sino-UK relations honored in London ceremony

Chinese ambassador Liu Xiaoming (4th?from the left) and Stephen Perry, the chairman of 48 Group Club (1st from the right) pose for a group photo with this year's Icebreaker Award winners. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Six people who have made important contributions to China-UK relations were honored at a ceremony at the Chinese Embassy in London.

Chinese ambassador to UK Liu Xiaoming presented the awards to six people, including Lord Michael Bates, the Minister of State at the Home Office, and Vince Cable, the former Secretary of State for Business.

The Icebreaker Award was set up by the 48 Group Club, which dates back to the early 1950s when a group of British businessmen first established trade relations with the newly created People's Republic of China, which back then was the subject of a US-led embargo. The award honors those who make important contributions to promoting the relations between China and the UK in business and other areas.

Liu said that although the "thick ice" that blocked the Sino-UK exchanges has long gone, the "icebreaking" spirit initiated by the 48 Group is not outdated, adding that in the "Golden Era" of China-UK relationships, everyone should be "icebreakers" and commit themselves to breaking ideological shackles.

Other recipients of the 2015 Icebreaker Awards include Martin Davidson, the chairman of Great Britain China Center, Chris Rudd, the pro vice-chancellor of the University of Nottingham, Alan Cook, the CEO of the consultancy company Atkins, and Si Bingjun, head of China Chamber of Commerce in the UK.