John Edwards, HM Trade Commissioner for China

Asia House is delighted to invite members to an exclusive, off-the-record briefing with HM Trade Commissioner for China, John Edwards on Tuesday, 23 May.

This briefing will take place shortly after China’s key annual political meetings, the “Two Sessions,” and will consider bilateral cooperation in sectors including Net Zero, technology, renewable energy, financial services and education.

Speaking from Beijing, Edwards will update Asia House Corporate Members on the Department of Business and Trade’s priorities in the Asia Pacific for 2023, UK-China trade relations, and investment opportunities for UK businesses as China re-opens from its zero-COVID restrictions. Edwards will also discuss the UK’s ambitions for upcoming bilateral dialogues such as the Joint Economic and Trade Commission (JETCO) and the UK-China Economic and Financial Dialogue and consider the broader regional trade environment in Asia. This includes China’s desire to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), a major regional trade bloc, to which the UK has recently concluded negotiations to join.

With the World Bank’s latest economic outlook identifying China as a global bright spot and following a rebound in its consumer market, he will also explore opportunities for UK businesses in China, including in large-scale development initiatives such as the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macau Greater Bay Area.

This briefing is being convened for Asia House Corporate Members and moderated by Asia House Chief Executive Michael Lawrence. To register interest, please email Lin Cong, Programme Producer: lin.cong@asiahouse.co.uk