NIGERIA TV INFO — INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS / DIPLOMACY NEWS

UK, China Set to Revive “Golden Era” of Business Dialogue

Abuja — Britain and China are preparing to revive a “golden era” of business dialogue as British Prime Minister Keir Starmer plans a visit to Beijing next week, sources familiar with the initiative have revealed.

The visit is expected to feature a revamped UK-China CEO Council, bringing together top executives from both countries to strengthen trade and investment ties. British companies likely to participate include AstraZeneca, BP, HSBC, Jaguar Land Rover, Rolls-Royce, Intercontinental Hotels Group, Schroders, and Standard Chartered. From China, participants may include Bank of China, China Construction Bank, China Mobile, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, China Rail and Rolling Stock Corporation, China National Pharmaceutical Group, and BYD.

The council was originally launched in 2018 by then-Prime Minister Theresa May and Premier Li Keqiang, during a period both sides described as a “golden era” for UK-China relations. Talks to revive the council have been ongoing, with Starmer’s trip closely linked to China’s recent approval to build its largest embassy in London.

Officials are still finalising details, including the council’s official English name. While the UK is reluctant to retain “CEO” in the title, the Chinese side favors keeping the original 2018 translation. Sources note that external geopolitical events, such as US interests in Greenland, could influence the visit.

Starmer’s trip will be the first by a British leader since 2018 and aims to reset relations with China following strained ties under previous Conservative governments. Relations cooled after the UK banned Huawei from its 5G network in 2020 and approved the 2022 buyout of China General Nuclear Power’s stake in a nuclear project. Due to political sensitivities, CGN and Huawei are unlikely to participate in the revived council.