The Sino-British Business Roundtable Meeting. [Photo provided by Lin Yuyang to chinadaily.com.cn]

Sarah Mann, British consul-general in Guangzhou, led a delegation of British enterprises to visit the Organizing Committee of the China International Fair for Investment and Trade (CIFIT) on Jan 20, where they attended the Sino-British Business Roundtable Meeting and engaged in discussions and business matchmaking. 

During the 25th CIFIT, the UK achieved its highest-ever level of investment and participation as a guest country of honor in any Chinese exhibition, with UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer sending a congratulatory letter. The event was attended by British Ambassador to China Dominic Johnson, who led a delegation of over 300 participants, including around 100 institutions and companies such as AstraZeneca and HSBC. 

Over four days, the 408-square-meter UK Pavilion attracted more than 11,000 visitors and held over 30 business events. Chinese and British companies signed multiple commercial agreements and reached cooperation intentions totaling more than 200 million pounds ($268.5 million), establishing solid partnerships in fields such as aviation, energy storage, healthcare, and education. 

Sarah Mann expressed affirmation of Xiamen's business environment. [Photo provided by Lin Yuyang to chinadaily.com.cn]

Mann praised CIFIT as both a vital platform to showcase the UK's openness and innovative dynamism and a core forum for facilitating tangible business collaboration.

Yu Hao, deputy director-general of the Xiamen Municipal Bureau of Commerce and director of the Bureau of Convention and Exhibition of Xiamen, stated, "We are actively engaging with our British counterparts on plans for their participation in the 2026 CIFIT, with a focus on key sectors such as financial services and biopharmaceuticals. The CIFIT serves as a vital platform for regular exchanges on investment and trade between China and the UK."