The third China-UK Enterprise Investment and Cooperation Forum took place at the North Bund Raffles Hotel on December 6.
The forum aimed to build a bridge for communication and cooperation between Chinese and British businesses, seeking mutually beneficial cooperation models, enhancing bilateral exchanges in various fields, and promoting investment and financing collaborations between enterprises.
Li Qian, the Party Secretary of Hongkou District, Matt Burney, British Consul General in Shanghai, and Zhu Gang, Deputy Director of the International Economic and Technical Cooperation Center of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, attended the forum and delivered speeches.
Li Qian welcomed the visiting British delegation and highlighted the longstanding relationship between Hongkou and the UK. He emphasized that China is an important trade partner for the UK in Asia and that the depth and breadth of cooperation between the two countries continue to expand.
He further pointed out that Shanghai serves as a key bridge for Sino-British exchanges and cooperation, and Hongkou has long been engaged in fostering ties with the UK.
Li noted that the forum serves as an important platform to implement the trade development strategies between China and the UK, reflecting Hongkou’s commitment to expanding its openness to the world.
He expressed confidence that the forum would provide significant opportunities for Chinese and British enterprises to engage in two-way exchanges and cooperation.
Matt Burney remarked that Sino-British economic and trade exchanges have been close, with more than two-thirds of UK companies in China establishing their headquarters in Shanghai.
He sees vast opportunities for further collaboration in fields such as healthcare, financial technology, and green transformation. He is optimistic about future exchanges and cooperation, which will elevate bilateral commercial and cultural ties to a higher level.
Zhu Gang emphasized that Sino-British exchanges and cooperation have been deepening in recent years, with cooperation expanding across multiple fields and levels.
The International Economic and Technical Cooperation Center of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology will continue to facilitate efficient cooperation platforms for enterprises of both countries and deepen cooperation in industries, promoting mutual benefits.
At the forum, several keynote speeches were delivered, including those by Zhou Hanmin, Member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, Tom Simpson, President of the China-Britain Business Council China, and Feng Lin, Chairman of DealGlobe.
Rupert Hoogewerf, Chairman of Hurun Report, Jon Edwards, Chief Representative of the London Stock Exchange in Beijing, and other industry leaders also shared their insights.
The forum included a signing ceremony between DealGlobe and Hurun Report for the “2025 China M&A Top 100 List.” Hongkou’s investment environment was also showcased, with a focus on roundtable discussions around healthcare, technology, consumption, and trade.
The China-UK Enterprise Investment and Cooperation Forum is an important platform for exchanges and cooperation between Chinese and British businesses, government agencies, and commercial organizations.
The forum aims to strengthen bilateral cooperation in various sectors, including economics, trade, investment, and technology, fostering mutually beneficial opportunities.
The first two forums were held in London in 2014 and 2015, and this is the first time the event has been hosted in China, further deepening the economic, technological, and cultural ties between the two nations.
As the host of the forum, Hongkou boasts a unique geographical advantage and has historically been a vital gateway for Sino-Western exchanges.
Currently, Hongkou's foreign investments span 75 countries and regions, with 93 high-level foreign enterprises and R&D centers based in the district.
In 2023, foreign direct investment grew by more than 30 percent. Hongkou is actively building an innovation zone linked to the free trade area, expanding its global investment cooperation network, and working to become an important showcase of Chinese modernization.
The district will continue to deepen its high-level openness, focusing on its strengths in shipping, finance, and commerce, and optimizing its industrial policy system to create a one-stop service platform for international business exchanges.