A reception celebrating the birthday of His Majesty King Charles III was held in Guangzhou on June 10 by the British Consulate-General in Guangzhou, where officials from both sides highlighted the steady growth of China-UK cooperation, particularly in trade, green develo[pment, and techonological innovation.
On behalf of Guangdong Province, Deng Haiguang, vice chairman of the Guangdong Provincial Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), noted that since the China-UK comprehensive strategic partnership was established in 2004, bilateral relations have continued to move forward despite challenges along the way.
“As a pioneer of China’s reform and opening-up and a key engine of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), Guangdong has played a pivotal role in China-UK practical cooperation,” Deng said.
In 2025, the total import and export volume between Guangdong and the UK exceeded RMB 160 billion, accounting for more than 20% of China-UK bilateral trade and maintaining steady growth.
Deng added that exchanges and cooperation between Guangdong and the UK go beyond economy and trade. Deep integration and remarkable progress can also be seen in areas such as scientific and technological innovation, green development, education, and people-to-people exchanges.
Looking ahead, Deng said the profound potential for cooperation between the two sides is expected to yield tangible outcomes in high-quality development and contribute to the steady progress of China-UK relations.
Sarah Mann, British Consul-General in Guangzhou, pointed out that over the past 12 months, South China has welcomed three UK ministers, two permanent secretaries, three mayors, and eight regional delegations.
She noted that these frequent visits to South China are a direct reflection of the active cooperation between the UK and China.
“This is because the UK and China are working together, pursuing shared interests in some of the world’s most important challenges, whether that’s developing carbon capture technologies or helping aging populations live happier, healthier lives,” Mann said.
Mann described South China as a vital hub for UK-China economic and trade collaboration, supporting the bilateral relationship while also contributing to global development.
For example, Octopus Energy, a British company, has established a presence in Guangzhou; UK professional services firms are actively supporting South China enterprises in going global; BYD has become one of the most popular automotive brands in the UK; and HiTHIUM is currently exploring investment opportunities in the UK’s green energy sector.
She concluded that global issues do not have simple answers, and that these challenges can only be better tackled through full cooperation.
Reporter | Guo Chuhua
Photo | Guo Chuhua