Movers and Shakers

Diplomats, academics, business leaders and politicians share their insights into the next steps for bilateral ties

MA ZHENGANG

FORMER CHINESE AMBASSADOR TO THE UK

During the past 45 years, the China-UK relationship has seen a solid foundation laid, thanks to the joint efforts of both sides, and the relationship is now experiencing a "golden era" of its development. It is hoped that the bilateral relationship will develop in a wider range, achieve a greater glory, and introduce more outcomes of a cooperative and win-win nature.

WU HAILONG

PRESIDENT OF CHINESE PEOPLE'S INSTITUTE OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

China and the UK are two countries of significant global influence. China and the UK's collaboration does not just benefit the people of the two countries, but also contributes to global prosperity and stability. I hope that China and the UK's relationship will develop steadily over the long term, and advance to the next level.

JIM O'NEILL

FORMER COMMERCIAL SECRETARY TO THE BRITISH TREASURY

China's next phase of growth is still the single most important thing for the world economy. And its style, based on rising Chinese incomes, is likely to be better for the things the UK excels at. In many ways, the Chinese interest in football and hiring Premier League footballers is just a modest micro-sign of the broader phase, and with the right focus, this could be excellent for British strengths, in many things, such as healthcare, education, advanced manufacturing, media and culture. Developing the"golden relationship" with China, was one of the most important international policy things the David Cameron era did.

STEPHEN PERRY

CHAIRMAN OF 48 GROUP CLUB

Forty-five years of ambassadorial relations between the UK and China is a significant milestone but the foundations were laid long before that. The 48 Group Club is proud that the UK was the first Western country to establish relations with China and that our own work as the 'icebreakers', leading the very first Western trade mission to visit China after 1949, goes back more than 65 years. Now that the relations between our two countries are said to be in a "golden era", it is all the more necessary to keep in mind the wise words of late Premier Zhou Enlai: "When drinking the water do not forget who dug the well."

SUN YU

GENERAL MANAGER OF THE BANK OF CHINA LONDON BRANCH

The Chinese economy is experiencing structural changes. One key feature that remains, though, is the speed of the internationalization of the Chinese economy. In the past, the internationalization of Chinese enterprises was evident in its staggering export and import numbers but today it is the large M&A deals, overseas direct investment and RMB internationalization that are grabbing the headlines. London, as the most internationalized global financial center, has been the starting point for the internationalization of global banks for centuries. It's mutually beneficial for both countries to further develop a win-win relationship.

ZHA PEIXIN

FORMER CHINESE AMBASSADOR TO THE UK

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations, there has been huge progress. These achievements have not come easily. We should treasure this relationship. Development of it is not only in the interest of our two countries and peoples, but is conducive to world peace and stability, and world economic development and prosperity. We should enhance high-level exchanges to build political and strategic confidence. Our economies are highly complementary and we should expand trade and investment and strengthen economic ties.

TU GUANGSHAO

VICE-CHAIRMAN AND PRESIDENT OF CHINA INVESTMENT CORPORATION

As a long-term financial investor, CIC has been investing in the UK for nearly 10 years, including public market investments, multiple major projects in real estate and infrastructure. Thanks to its welcoming attitude to foreign investors and relatively fair, transparent, and stable regulatory environment, the UK is among the top countries in terms of geographical exposure of CIC's overseas portfolio and remains a destination of high priority when CIC deploys its capital globally in the future. As China-UK relations entered a "golden era" of "building a global comprehensive strategic partnership for the 21st century", CIC is ready to contribute to closer bilateral investment ties.

HE YU

CHAIRMAN OF CHINA GENERAL NUCLEAR

The fact CGN withstood the test of Brexit uncertainties to successfully invest in the UK's nuclear sector last year proved a great start and the continuation of China and UK's "golden era" relationship. CGN's investment in UK nuclear projects is a demonstration of our vote of confidence in the UK economy, even after the UK voted to leave the EU. What we started is not just a new era for the nuclear sector, but a confirmation of China and the UK's trade "golden era". We believe achieving win-win benefits is the melody of China UK relations, and CGN hopes to contribute toward the healthy development of China and the UK's relationship.

ROBIN NIBLETT

DIRECTOR OF ROYAL INSTITUTE FOR INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

President Xi Jinping and then prime minister David Cameron proclaimed a new "golden era" in Sino-UK relations in 2015. The question today is whether the British vote to leave the EU will diminish this vision or not. The UK can no longer serve as China's principal 'gateway' to the EU. However, the UK remains the fifth or sixth-largest economy in the world and, as an open economy, remains also a highly attractive destination for Chinese investment. For its part, Britain needs Chinese investment in UK infrastructure. The UK also wants to serve as the principal financial partner to the Belt and Road Initiative and increase its trade in services to a more consumption-led Chinese economy.

LORD JAMES SASSOON

CHAIRMAN OF THE CHINA-BRITAIN BUSINESS COUNCIL

We are beginning what should be the most exciting period for UK-China business cooperation. China's continued reform and transition to a consumption-driven economy offers great potential for the UK. The UK continues to be the one of the most open markets in the world to Chinese investment across a broad range of private and public projects. The UK is already the top EU destination for Chinese investment. And opportunities in third markets along the Belt and Road Initiative can partner British financial and professional services with Chinese expertise.

DOUGLAS FLINT

CHAIRMAN OF HSBC HOLDINGS

China has become the world's largest trading nation and is now responsible for around a quarter of global economic growth. We expect China's global profile to continue to grow alongside its global leadership on sustainability and infrastructure development. After 45 years, the relationship between China and the UK is at its strongest. The UK is playing key roles in driving the internationalization of the renminbi, establishing the "Green Bond" market, and promoting public and private cooperation in infrastructure development.

RANA MITTER

DIRECTOR OF THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD CHINA CENTRE

China and the UK are likely to cement their relationships and deepen their relationships in the next five years as the UK undertakes Brexit. I think we are likely to see more interactions in the various areas the two sides have mutual interest, including higher education, financial services and science and technology, where China and the UK can learn from each other. Both sides need to be more open to each other. On China's side, it is important to open its markets further, particularly in the services sectors. On the British side, it is important to welcome more Chinese people.