China UK Photo: VCG

Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng met with UK Business and Trade Secretary Peter Kyle in Beijing on Wednesday. 

He, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said thatChina will continue to work with the UK to implement the important consensus reached by the heads of state of both countries, promoting the sustained, stable, and healthy development of bilateral economic and trade cooperation to ensure steady and long-term relations, the Xinhua News Agency reported.

"China is committed to high-level opening-up, strongly supporting UK enterprises' confidence in investing in China, deepening their engagement in the Chinese market, and sharing the dividends of China's vast market," said He. 

Kyle said that the UK highly values economic and trade cooperation with China and is willing to enhance communication and coordination to deepen UK-China trade and investment ties, according to Xinhua.  

The UK government announced on Tuesday local time that Kyle, the UK's new business and trade secretary, would attend the first China-UK Joint Economic and Trade Commission (JETCO) since 2018 in Beijing, where he "looks to secure deals worth more than 1 billion pounds ($1.35 billion) over five years." 

"The UK's proactive stance in promoting China-UK cooperation, exemplified by the JETCO meeting, is a pragmatic move. The UK faces numerous economic challenges, including high inflation, sluggish growth, debt issues, fiscal policy dilemmas, and insufficient market confidence. Addressing these with a closed perspective or ideologically driven solutions is ineffective," Li Yong, a senior research fellow at the China Association of International Trade, told the Global Times on Wednesday.

The last JETCO meeting was held in Beijing in August 2018, where Chinese and British trade ministers have vowed to improve economic ties between the two countries and expand cooperation, according to the Xinhua News Agency.

Chinese analysts said that marking the first JETCO meeting after a seven-year pause, this renewal underscores the UK's recognition of China's role as a key partner and its intent to drive economic growth through a more stable and pragmatic bilateral economic cooperation amid global uncertainties and domestic stagnation. 

"Working people and businesses to benefit from increased economic growth as the government pursues a pragmatic, careful and confident relationship with China through the re-launch of trade talks this week," read the UK government's statement on the JETCO meeting.

"Restarting trade talks with China is an essential tool to put money into people's pockets… British businesses will be an important part of my visit, helping open doors to greater commercial opportunities," said Kyle, as stated in the UK government's statement. 

Analysts also noted the JETCO meeting's importance to the UK. Facing domestic economic stagnation and global uncertainties, the UK sees China as a vital partner for boosting growth and job creation. They noted that reopening JETCO could unlock opportunities in emerging fields like artificial intelligence, sustainable finance, and high-value exports. 

Meanwhile, analysts highlighted that the potential of China-UK cooperation is massive.

One of the latest examples is the fact the UK is the guest country of honor at the ongoing 25th China International Fair for Investment & Trade (CIFIT), held from Monday to Thursday, in Xiamen, East China's Fujian Province.

According to preliminary statistics, as of July 2025, the UK's cumulative actual investment in China exceeded $35 billion, while China's direct investment stock in the UK surpassed $32 billion. Over 13,000 British enterprises have been established in China to date, said China's vice commerce minister at a press conference in August.

The UK government's statement noted that revising its trade relationship with Beijing through these engagements could present huge opportunities for UK exporters, potentially providing greater access to British businesses to a country with a growing middle-class market that is forecast to contribute 23 percent of global growth between 2023 and 2050.  

In addition to fresh trade talks, Kyle will also co-chair the first Industrial Cooperation Dialogue (ICD) - to be held on Wednesday and Thursday - since 2022. "The talks will promote UK-China cooperation on industrial decarbonization and the digital economy and discuss standards that make it easier for UK automotive manufacturers to enter the Chinese market," read the UK government's statement. 

Analysts stressed that to maximize these benefits, the UK should engage consistently, fostering trust and aligning with China's focus on sustainable, innovation-driven growth. This renewed dialogue marks a critical step toward economic resilience and global competitiveness. 

However, analysts call on the UK to adopt a rational and practical approach, moving beyond political posturing to reduce trade barriers, which could unlock "easy wins" for both sides. 

"The UK should adopt an open, globalized outlook, recognizing opportunities from international cooperation. As the world's second-largest economy with immense market potential and complementary economic strengths, China cannot be avoided. The partnership with China not only expands market access but also elevates the UK's position in specific sectors, fostering mutual benefits," said Li. 

Global Times