Sino-European Manufacturing Club Holds a Signing Ceremony of AI Eco-Park Project in London

Former British Prime Minister Mr. David Cameron delivers a keynote speech at the forum. (All photos are provided by the host.)

In the keynote speech, Mr. David Cameron recalled that he and China’s President Xi Jinping, who visited UK in 2015, worked together to write a new chapter of the China-UK "Golden Era". In recent years, the relationship between China and UK has been developing in various fields, and the number of Chinese investors coming to the UK has been increasing.

He believed that China had made phenomenal progress and there is plenty of space in its market. Britain must keep an independent principle and oppose trade protectionism. Considering the factor of Brexit, UK and China should cooperate more closely as UK is making itself more globalised. There are many possibilities of further cooperation in many fields, such as infrastructure, manufacturing, green industries, service, energy, technology.

After the speech, David Cameron was interviewed by Michael Bates, Counsellor of Privy Council of the United Kingdom, on topics including China-UK relation, international situation and Brexit.

The Lord Michael Bates (on the left), Counsellor of Privy Council of the United Kingdom, interviews Mr. David Cameron.

As to his current priorities, Cameron said he was continuing to work on promoting relations between UK and other countries, just in a different way.

He explained that the China-UK Investment Fund, currently managed as a private equity fund, has a partnership with the China Investment Corporation (CIC) to raise capital in China and UK. It will provide investment to successful companies or projects that promote exchanges between China and UK in the future, such as English schools that provide English teaching & training at Chinese universities, or Chinese insurance companies that have established branches in UK.

Industry leaders from China and UK was discussing internationalization experience.

On the same day, the Sino-Europe Business Forum was held at the Royal Air Force Club in London, with the theme of "Understanding UK", aiming to strengthen the exchanges and cooperation between business leaders from China and UK in the fields of economy & trade, science & education and culture & creativity, and contribute to the development of UK-China relations in various fields. More than 100 entrepreneurs and business representatives from China and UK attended the Forum, which was organized by the Sino-European Manufacturing Club (SEMC).

Xiang Jian, the founder of SEMC, said in his welcome speech that the two-way business cooperation between China and Europe was at an initial stage. Not only large enterprises, but also small and medium-sized enterprises had an opportunity to make contribution. When Chinese companies go global, it is important that they understand the UK well while trying to tell China’s stories. He said that SEMC had been committed to promoting economic and trade development and investment exchanges between China and Europe since its establishment seven years ago. The Forum was held to provide a platform for Chinese and European entrepreneurs to communicate with each other, and inject new momentum into the "Golden Era" between China and UK.

Then, Fang Wenjian, the Chairman of the China Chamber of Commerce in the United Kingdom (CCCUK) and President of Bank of China London Branch, Chen Xin, President of Pudong Development Bank London Branch, and Liu Miao, Chairman of Luzhou Laojiao Company Limited, delivered keynote speeches on the experience of development in UK and the internationalization for Chinese enterprises.

Fang Wenjian said that the development of Chinese enterprises in UK was characterized by fast speed, involvement in multiple fields, and the coexistence of risks & opportunities. He believed that Chinese enterprises still had great opportunities and room to expand in UK. He also reminded that enterprises needed to pay attention to the following points: firstly, long-term strategies should serve as the foundation of the enterprise’s development. Secondly, companies should utilise the advantages of the UK while keeping their own characteristics. Last but not least, localisation is key.

Chen Xin said that there were differences in humanity, law, environment and philosophy between China and UK. In order to seize the opportunity to develop in a foreign country, it is necessary to face the differences and seek common grounds. She had been working in finance industry in UK for more than 10 years, and she analysed the different policies of the two countries by using financial regulation as an example.

Luzhou Laojiao: while bringing Baijiu to the world, special attention should be given to cultural dissemination and innovation.

As a representative of pioneering entrepreneurs who bring Chinese companies to the global arena, Liu Miao, chairman of Luzhou Laojiao, said that Chinese Baijiu had a long history and is a product as famous as Chinese tea, silk and porcelain, which were spread overseas along the Silk Road. He said that the internationalization of Baijiu will be a long and difficult process and Chinese Baijiu companies should work together to promote the exchange with other countries.

Liu Miao, chairman of Luzhou Laojiao, delivers his speech.

Taking International Festival of Poetry & Baijiu Festival hosted by Luzhou Laojiao as example, Liu Miao said that poetry and Baijiu were indispensable for Chinese traditional culture. The festival was also a creative way to bring Baijiu to the world and raise global attention to the liquor. Meanwhile, it also promoted the integration and development of Chinese traditional culture and traditional industries, and contributed to the cultural exchanges between China and other countries.

International Research Center for Spirits Innovation (IRCSI) was inaugurated at the Forum. IRCSI aimed to provide a platform for innovation, cooperation and exchanges between Chinese and British companies, also promote development in spirits industry.

In addition, a signing ceremony, between Luzhou Laojiao International Development (HK) Company Limited and Kylin Spirits Group (UK), was held at the Forum. While Sino-European Technology Innovation (SETIG) and Europe-Asia Investment Bank, SEMC and Chinese-Britain Artificial Intelligence Association had held cooperation signing ceremonies respectively.

Other guests to the Forum included:

Sir George Reresby Sacheverell Sitwell, 8th Baronet;

XUE Ling, Director of the London Office of Ministry of Culture and Tourism of PRC;

WANG Shengniu, General Manager of Huawei UK;

Lady Xuelin Bates , Executive Vice Chairman of UK Chinese Business Association;

Max McFarlane, Former Chief Distiller of Edrington Group;

GAO Jingna, Vice Chairman of Southampton Football Club;

GAO Lixin, President of Shanghai Jinpu Investment Co. Ltd. etc.