Recently, the UK Jiangsu Business Association held its council election and a working meeting of the new Council in London, bringing together Jiangsu businesspeople and members of the Chinese community in the UK and, in the current environment, seeking to make a fresh contribution to exchanges and cooperation between Jiangsu and the United Kingdom across a wide range of fields. Liu Hongmei, Counsellor for Overseas Chinese Affairs at the Chinese Embassy in the UK, attended the event.
This was also the Council’s first meeting since the COVID-19 pandemic.
The UK Jiangsu Business Association brings together outstanding people from across sectors including finance, business, investment, healthcare, art, media, education and cultural exchange. Its network includes Jiangsu professionals in the UK from major listed companies, PwC, Deutsche Bank, leading European venture-capital funds, the contemporary arts, former Lucent and Bell Labs experts, major ocean-shipping businesses, cross-border M&A, financing and audit, China–UK media and marketing, and high-technology investment institutions.
Since its establishment, the Association has developed a resource-rich business platform and acted as a bridge between the two sides. It has promoted UK–China trade relations, particularly between the UK and Jiangsu, and encouraged exchanges between businesses; strengthened communication with the UK Government and business community; strengthened links with China, especially the Jiangsu Provincial Government, chambers of commerce and businesses; helped overseas Chinese businesspeople develop opportunities in the Chinese market; and made an active contribution to Jiangsu’s economic development. It has also strengthened the cohesion and influence of Jiangsu businesspeople and the wider Jiangsu community in the UK, while providing support to those facing difficulties.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Association acted quickly in the early stages to organise the purchase and shipment of urgently needed protective supplies to China. After the outbreak spread in the UK, the Association received strong support in anti-pandemic resources from the Jiangsu Provincial Government, businesses and overseas Chinese organisations. It brought together support from multiple parties to provide protective equipment, medical assistance and psychological support to Chinese communities in the UK, including Jiangsu residents and students.
As the impact of the pandemic receded, the UK Jiangsu Business Association elected a new Council. Zhang Hai became President, Ren Guangfeng became Chair, and Wu Zhiyong, Han Dong, Xi Jianjun, Tang Shulan and Mao Zhiqiang were appointed as the five Executive Vice Presidents.
Beginning a new chapter, the Association discussed and set its priorities for the new environment: alongside strengthening services for Jiangsu businesses and talent in the UK, it would support entrepreneurship and innovation in Jiangsu, encourage UK businesses, overseas Chinese entrepreneurs and high-level talent to establish themselves in Jiangsu, and contribute to Jiangsu’s development. It would also expand commercial cooperation between the UK and Jiangsu and support Jiangsu companies investing in the UK. In addition, it would further broaden people-to-people and cultural exchanges between China and the UK, promote Jiangsu cuisine, tourism and culture, and tell the stories of Jiangsu and China to international audiences.
The Council also agreed to establish a Northern Branch of the UK Jiangsu Business Association.
Liu Hongmei congratulated the Association on the successful election. She praised Jiangsu’s strength in education and the depth of talent within the Association, and encouraged JSBA to continue bringing together Chinese businesspeople and communities in the UK, supporting their long-term development, deepening links with their home province, and making an even greater contribution to friendly exchanges between all sectors of China and the UK.
President Zhang Hai said that, together with all Vice Presidents and Council Members, he would work to provide better services to Jiangsu businesses and communities in the UK, contribute ideas and expertise to Jiangsu’s economic and social development, and help strengthen exchanges and cooperation between Jiangsu and regions and sectors across the United Kingdom.
Chair Ren Guangfeng said that bringing new energy into the UK Jiangsu Business Association was extremely important and that he would continue to provide comprehensive support as the Association opened a new chapter.
President