John Edwards provides update on UK-China trade relations

As China implements measures to limit the spread of the Omicron variant, Asia House Corporate Members received an update on the economic situation in the country – as well as the state of UK-China trade relations – during a briefing with John Edwards, UK Trade Commissioner for China.

Speaking from Beijing, Edwards outlined how COVID-19 is continuing to affect the Chinese economy, and discussed the latest developments in the UK-China trade relationship. China’s response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was also discussed in the off-the-record briefing.

Asia House Corporate Members joined the discussion from around the world to hear the Trade Commissioner’s insights, with Edwards taking a range of questions. He was asked about the prospects of a lockdown in Beijing; vaccine hesitancy in China; and the trajectory of tensions between China and Western economies.

There was much interest among Corporate Members in China’s net zero strategy, with Edwards being asked about sustainable investment opportunities, the green finance sector in China, and the country’s broader sustainable development and energy landscape. Policies such as the Common Prosperity initiative and the BRI were also discussed in the digital briefing, moderated by Asia House Chief Executive Michael Lawrence, on 27 April.

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