On 8th February, the 48 Group Club, China Chamber of Commerce in the UK (CCCUK) and China-Britain Business Council (CBBC) jointly hosted the ‘Icebreakers’ 2023 Chinese New Year celebration. This is the tenth consecutive year that the Bank of China London Branch has supported the event.
As the first in-person reception of the annual "Icebreakers" celebration since the pandemic, the event was attended by some 450 representatives from the two countries in sectors of government, business, and finance, among other industries.
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang extended a congratulatory message to the event. He highlighted the significance of healthy and stable relations between China and the UK to both nations and the world, saying that Beijing will remain committed to peaceful development. The premier noted that visionary representatives from the British business community broke the ice with great courage and opened the door to trade between China and the UK 70 years ago. Li said that, at present, international and regional situations are undergoing complex and profound changes, and geopolitics, the world economy, climate change, food, energy security, and other fields are facing severe risks and challenges. The more difficulties there are, the more the icebreaker spirit must be carried forward, he said, adding that a pioneering and enterprising spirit is required to bolster exchanges and cooperation, properly manage differences, and enhance people's well-being.
Zheng Zeguang, China's ambassador to the UK, pointed out that President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message to the celebration last year and Premier Li sent one this year, reflecting the fact that China's leaders have great expectations for the two countries, and attach great value to the development of Sino-British relations. Zheng said China is promoting the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation with Chinese modernisation, which opens up a wide space for cooperation between China and other countries, including the UK. Zheng said, China and the UK should move in the same direction, uphold the principles of mutual respect, openness, and tolerance, focus on mutually beneficial cooperation, properly address conflicts and differences, and push the relationship forward along the right track.
Mr. Fang Wenjian, Chairman of CCCUK, General Manager of Bank of China Limited London Branch, said despite the impact of the pandemic, geopolitical tensions and the energy crisis in the past three years, the business relationship between China and the UK has continued to flourish. Fang also cited the beloved British fairy tale of Peter Rabbit, saying the story tells people that even the smallest one can change the world. Fang added that, working together we can achieve our common mission of further strengthening the China-UK relations, and bringing positive and long-lasting changes to it.
The Rt Hon Lord Hammond of Runnymede, former UK Chancellor of the Exchequer, said political differences must not become an impediment to Britain's strength because the UK's history is one of trade-led diplomacy and a trade-first approach. Hammond said, China will be an indispensable partner in the battle against global warming as we begin to address the challenge of climate change. “Let us focus not on what divides us but on what unites us, on making the case for free and fair trade, on encouraging mutual openness to investment, on working together to combat climate change,” he said.
