Chinese Vice President Han Zheng attends an event on the 70th anniversary of the "Icebreaking Mission" in China-UK trade in Beijing on 6 July, where he reads out a congratulatory letter sent by Chinese President Xi Jinping. About 100 representatives from the Chinese and UK business communities attended the event. (Source: Xinhua)
Mr Liu Jin, the President of Bank of China, was invited to attend the event and delivered a speech. He said that 70 years ago, visionary members of the British business community represented by Jack Perry embarked on the Mission to open trade channels with the newly founded People’s Republic, and later promoted the establishment of the 48 Group Club, making significant contributions to China-UK economic and trade cooperation. Seventy years later, in a world with complex and changing international situations, what the world needs most is communication, and most important is for the world to open up and cooperateion. China acts as a pillar and powerhouse in promoting international free trade and stabilizing global economic growth. It has important practical significance to commemorate the "Icebreaking Mission" and deepen China-UK business cooperation.
Mr Liu Jin pointed out that financial cooperation is one of the key topics in China-UK economic and trade cooperation, and the cooperation between China and the UK in the field of green finance has achieved remarkable results and has bright future. As tackling climate change increasingly becomes a global consensus, China's development of green finance has entered the fast track. As of the end of the first quarter of 2023, the balance of China's green loans in domestic and foreign currencies has exceeded 25 trillion yuan, ranking first globally. Actively embracing the new development philosophy, Bank of China is promoting the development of green industries worldwide. As of the end of June 2023, Bank of China's green loans have exceeded 2 trillion yuan, and the underwriting of green bonds has exceeded 300 billion yuan. It has supported numerous iconic China-UK green finance projects, including the Dogger Bank, the world's largest planned offshore wind farm located on the northeast coast of the UK.
Mr Liu Jin said, Bank of China has branch institutions in 64 countries and regions worldwide, making it China's most globalised commercial bank. Bank of China London Branch is the first branch to be set up overseas, operating in London since 1929, and has maintained close relationships with the City of London and the banking community there. Bank of China London Branch has long been cooperating with the 48 Group Club and is committed to promoting China-UK economic and trade cooperation. In the future, guided by the proposal by President Xi Jinping to build a community with a shared future for humanity, Bank of China will continue to carry forward the "icebreaking spirit" and make greater contributions to promoting deepened economic cooperation between China and the UK and advancing global sustainable development.
