The “Icebreaking Mission,' launched by British entrepreneurs in the 1950s, broke the ice in the West's trade with China. In 2023, Chinese and British business and trade communities are celebrating the 70th anniversary of the Mission to commemorate the efforts and achievements the two sides have made, efforts that have greatly boosted bilateral economic cooperation. Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory letter to an event commemorating the 70th anniversary of the “Icebreaking Mission” in China-UK trade. Xi said he hoped people of vision from all walks of life in China and Britain will carry on the pioneering spirit of openness and cooperation, work hard to break new ground for win-win cooperation, promote the building of an open world economy, and make greater contributions to promoting China-UK friendship and cooperation. The anniversary event, held in Beijing, was co-hosted by China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), Britain's 48 Group Club and the China-Britain Business Council. “Seventy years ago, the newly established CCPIT worked with a group of British business leaders to break the economic blockade imposed by Western countries on the People's Republic of China. Together, they embarked on an “Icebreaking Mission” of China-UK trade and left a valuable icebreaking spirit for future generations,” CCPIT Chairman Ren Hongbin said during the event. Over the past 70 years, generations of icebreakers have participated in China-UK exchanges, writing a magnificent chapter of exchanges and mutual learning, said Ren. Stephen Perry, Chairman of the 48 Group Club, said that they reaffirm that intention. “I will fight as hard as my father's generation did to support China-UK trade development as best as we can and support you from the UK. We have complementary economies, we have a good financial industry, we have much technology and advances in our education system. We will be able to continue to bring a great deal to China, and that is the commitment I make when I think about 70 years,” said Perry. Perry's father Jack Perry was a representative of the “Icebreaking Mission.”
“The UK and China are blessed with the potential for a vibrant and prosperous relationship ranging from education and cultural exchanges to research collaborations that address the world's most challenging problems,” Gordon Orr, Vice Chairman of the China-Britain Business Council, said at the event. “Trade and investment form the foundation of this relationship.”
In terms of trade potential between China and the UK, Keith Bennett, Vice Chairman of the 48 Group Club, told the Global Times that there is great complementarity in technical, scientific, research and development (R&D) collaboration, as well as in education. “China is now not only just a great power in manufacturing, but also a great power in R&D, innovation, the fourth industrial revolution, artificial intelligence (AI), big data and other sectors. At the same time, Britain also has some advanced experience there," said Bennett.
The UK will be the country of honor for the 2023 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS), which will be held in Beijing in September, the British Embassy in China announced. Participants from UK's top-tier enterprises will highlight their products and services across a variety of sectors. Dominic Johnson, the UK Minister for Investment, said in April that the UK and China “were symbiotically linked”. “I work very hard with lots of Chinese companies investing in our infrastructure and offshore wind and our clean energy transitions to net zero,” said Johnson, noting the UK may be the fastest-growing investor in China in terms of major markets. In 2022, China-UK trade in goods exceeded USD100 billion and accumulated two-way direct investment exceeded USD50 billion, the Global Times reports.
