Healthy economic ties serve both sides

United Kingdom Secretary of State for Business and Trade Peter Kyle's visit to China this week represents an opportunity for the two countries to further consolidate the momentum in their economic relationship.

During Kyle's meeting with Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng in Beijing on Wednesday, the two sides reaffirmed their readiness to work together to promote the steady, long-term development of China-UK economic and trade relations.

The renewal of the China-UK Joint Economic and Trade Commission talks after a seven-year pause is itself a testament to the progress made in recent months under the guidance of heads-of-state diplomacy. Since Keir Starmer took office as UK prime minister in mid-2024, the two governments have steadily rebuilt channels of dialogue and cooperation that had previously been stalled for various reasons.

The resumption of high-level exchanges, the relaunch of the China-UK Economic and Financial Dialogue, and the renewed focus on pragmatic cooperation are all signs that the two sides are making efforts to put their ties back on the right track.

As of July, more than 13,000 UK businesses have been established in China, with the cumulative UK investment surpassing $35 billion. Vice-Premier He emphasized that China will continue to encourage UK enterprises to maintain confidence in the Chinese market and share the opportunities presented by its vast consumer base and strong industrial capacity.

In response, Kyle said that the UK attaches great importance to its economic and trade cooperation with China and stands ready to deepen trade and investment ties.

The complementarity between the Chinese and British economies is obvious. China is the world's second-largest economy with immense growth potential, while the UK has strengths in financial services, green technology, advanced manufacturing and innovation. Cooperation in areas such as sustainable finance, the green economy and digital technology can generate win-win outcomes. For instance, the China-UK Industrial Cooperation Dialogue, also revived this week, provides a platform to explore collaboration in industrial decarbonization and the digital economy, supporting both sides' transition toward sustainable growth.

Importantly, such cooperation not only benefits China and the UK but also contributes to stability and prosperity at the regional level. As permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, China and the UK bear the responsibility to provide certainty in a time of turbulence. By expanding cooperation in fields ranging from climate change and artificial intelligence to green development, the two countries can demonstrate that pragmatic engagement is the right way to serve their peoples' interests and the global common good.

China welcomes the UK's engagement, as shown by its status as the guest country of honor at this year's China International Fair for Investment & Trade that opened in Xiamen, Fujian province, on Monday.

But of course, a smooth path forward requires both sides to adopt a constructive mindset. For the UK, this means resisting the temptation to let ideology or short-term political posturing stand in the way of mutually beneficial cooperation. By focusing on removing unnecessary trade barriers and aligning with China's vision of sustainable, innovation-driven development, the UK can help its businesses reap the benefits of greater market access while also contributing to global economic development.

Looking ahead, the UK can also play a positive role in fostering the healthy development of economic relations between China and Europe. At a time when uncertainties loom over global trade and investment, the strengthening of China-UK cooperation will help show other European economies the value of openness, complementarity and shared growth.