On September 7, 2024, John McLean, Chairman of the China-UK Business Development Centre, led a fintech delegation from the UK, departing from London for a week-long visit to cities including Beijing, Wuhan, and Nanjing.
The UK fintech delegation covered key and cutting-edge areas of financial technology such as investment and financing, payment and settlement, risk assessment, regulatory technology, cross-border settlement, and green finance. The delegation represented over 130 leading companies with a global reach.
Beijing
The delegation engaged in discussions with industry experts, including the Financial Services and Fintech Director at the British Embassy in China and representatives from the City of London’s office in China.
The delegation visited the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) / China International Chamber of Commerce (CICC).
The delegation visited the Beijing Central Business District (CBD).
The delegation visited the headquarters of China Construction Bank.
The delegation conducted a visit to Fengtai District and Lize Financial Business District in Beijing.
Wuhan
Sheng Yuechun, Vice Secretary of the Wuhan Municipal Party Committee and Mayor of Wuhan, met with the delegation.
The China-UK Business Development Centre, in collaboration with the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Wuhan Branch and the Wuhan Local Financial Supervision and Administration Bureau, co-hosted the “China (Wuhan) – UK Fintech Enterprise Cooperation and Exchange Conference.”
The delegation visited Transn Company.
The delegation visited the Wuhan Metropolitan Area Capital Market Service Base.
The delegation visited Dongxihu District and the Wuhan Tianhe Airport Economic Development Zone.
The delegation took a trial ride in the autonomous taxi “Luobo Kuai Pao.”
Nanjing
Han Liming, Secretary of the Nanjing Municipal Committee, met with the fintech delegation led by John McLean, Chairman of the China-UK Business Development Centre. The British Consul General in Shanghai, Paul Shou, also participated in the meeting. Secretary Han expressed hope that the China-UK Business Development Centre could better leverage its unique advantage in linking government, businesses, and industries to foster deeper cooperation between UK financial and tech companies and various sectors in Nanjing. He also encouraged their active participation in Nanjing’s financial reform and innovative development.
The delegation was invited to visit the Jiangsu Provincial Department of Commerce.
The Nanjing-London Financial Cooperation and Innovation Exchange Conference was held in Nanjing, with over 100 government and business guests in attendance. During the exchange, the Nanjing Financial City Council and the China-UK Business Development Centre signed a cooperation agreement. In the subsequent closed-door business meeting, participating companies discussed topics such as financing for SMEs, secure transactions, green finance and ESG, international expansion, and the joint development of financial talent.
With this, the China-UK Business Development Centre’s Fintech Delegation has successfully concluded its visit to the Chinese regional market. Through face-to-face exchanges with over 100 financial institutions and leading enterprises in the sector, the delegation members gained insights into the latest trends and potential opportunities in China’s economic development. They also deeply appreciated the enthusiasm of various government departments, relevant institutions, and businesses for further increasing openness and cooperation. Together, they explored areas of cooperation that can be further developed. The delegation members stated that upon returning to the UK, they will continue to maintain communication with the relevant institutions and businesses, actively promoting mutually beneficial cooperation.
A heartfelt thanks to all our partners for their support and attention to this fintech delegation!
After concluding the fintech delegation’s trip, John McLean, Chairman of the China-UK Business Development Centre, visited Hefei, Beijing, and other cities, where he attended a series of trade and investment promotion events.
Hefei
On September 18, Anhui Provincial Party Secretary Liang Yanshun and Governor Wang Qingxian met with a delegation of foreign trade promotion organizations, led by John McLean, Chairman of the China-UK Business Development Centre, in Hefei.
Chairman McLean highly praised the achievements in Anhui’s economic and social development, expressing his commitment to playing a bridging role by creating more platforms for communication between governments and businesses, expanding economic and trade exchanges, deepening practical cooperation, and achieving higher levels of mutually beneficial collaboration.
On the morning of September 19, the 2024 International Chamber of Commerce Conference was successfully held in Hefei.
Chairman McLean echoed the British poet John Donne’s famous line, “No man is an island,” with a Chinese proverb, “One who stands alone cannot rise; those who walk together can easily move forward.” He firmly believes that economic globalization is an inevitable trend in the development of the global economy. While the journey ahead may not always be smooth, only through close cooperation—not just as businesses, but as partners, even friends—can we collectively create a better future.
Beijing
On September 20, Chairman McLean was invited to attend the “Belt and Road” Trade and Investment Forum.
Chairman John McLean stated that China and the UK share common goals and visions in low-carbon development. The UK is committed to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, while China has set a target for carbon neutrality by 2060. This shared vision provides a strong foundation for cooperation between the two countries. In the field of green finance, the City of London is rapidly becoming a global hub for green finance and continues to promote investment in clean energy projects. There are extensive opportunities for cooperation between China and the UK in areas such as green bond issuance and the establishment of green funds. London’s financial markets provide funding support for Sino-British green projects, and Chinese financial institutions are also actively participating in London’s green finance activities.
As an active promoter of dialogue and cooperation in various fields between the two countries, the China-UK Business Development Centre will continue to focus on trade, finance, green development, technology, health, education, and cultural exchanges, further promoting practical cooperation and seeking innovative development.
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