On December 17, 2024, the UK-China Business Development Centre Shenzhen Office was officially launched at Gensol (Shenzhen) Tech Innovation Center, Shenzhen New Generation IT Industrial Park. The event, co-hosted by Jingrui and the Centre, aimed to strengthen UK-China business cooperation.
Attendees included Yu Feng, Deputy District Mayor of Futian; Sun Xiaoyu, Chief Representative of Shenzhen Economic & Trade Office in Europe; Trevor Lewis, Trade & Investment Director, British Consulate Guangzhou; John McLean, Chairman of the Centre; and Qiu Feng, Chairman of Gensol.
As Shenzhen’s Overseas Innovation Center, Gensol Technology Innovation Center has long been dedicated to promoting China-Europe tech and industry cooperation, providing a platform for UK-China business exchange and development. The UK-China Business Development Centre, chaired by John McLean, current Chair of the City of London Directors’ Association, is a London-based trade promotion organization focused on collaboration in technology, trade, investment, and education. The launch ceremony signifies both sides will leverage their resources to offer more comprehensive services, helping UK and Chinese companies achieve higher-level cooperation and growth in global markets.
Sun Xiaoyu, Chief Representative of the Shenzhen Economic & Trade Office in Europe, and John McLean, Chairman of the UK-China Business Development Centre, delivered speeches at the event. In his address, McLean reviewed years of cooperation with China, highlighting the Centre’s role in bridging businesses and governments and promoting multi-level UK-China exchanges. The Centre now has 13 offices in China, supporting trade and cultural collaboration. The launch of the Shenzhen office marks a key milestone in deepening UK-China cooperation and underscores confidence in the Greater Bay Area’s potential. McLean emphasized continued efforts to strengthen business collaboration, government dialogue, and expand cooperation across sectors, injecting new momentum into bilateral relations.
A key moment of the ceremony—the signing and unveiling—took place amid warm applause. Qiu Feng, Chairman of Gensol Technology Innovation Center, and John McLean, Chairman of the UK-China Business Development Centre, officially signed an agreement to provide comprehensive, professional bilateral services for UK and Chinese companies. The signing was witnessed by Yu Feng, Deputy District Mayor of Futian, Trevor Lewis, and Sun Xiaoyu. Following a countdown, McLean and Qiu jointly unveiled the Shenzhen office of the Centre, officially marking the launch of this important cooperation platform.
After the unveiling, attendees held a discussion with John McLean to explore future cooperation. Participants expressed their willingness to leverage resources to build a high-level UK-China collaboration platform and promote deeper integration in technology, industry, and trade.
The establishment of the UK-China Business Development Centre Shenzhen Office marks a key milestone in deepening UK-China business cooperation. It will provide more efficient and targeted international services, creating broader opportunities for collaboration. Attendees expressed their expectation for a win-win partnership and advancing UK-China cooperation to new heights.
