On 20 June 2022, Consul General Zheng Xiyuan met with the Chairman Frank Slevin and the Chief Executive Ollie Shiell of the UK National Committee on China(UKNCC) at his official residence, accompanied by Consul Li Fanghui and Dr Liu Li, Consul. 

Consul General Zheng said that this year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the UK at ambassadorial level, and the two countries have achieved historic development, despite the up and down and challenges in the relations. The practical collaborations have gradually expanded from traditional areas such as trade in goods to key areas like financial service, technology and public health, and in recent years to clean energy, digital economy, green finance, financial technology and other new areas. In the midst of Brexit and Covid-19, the resilient and mutual beneficial bilateral relations have stood the test of time for both peoples, with China-UK trade exceeded 100 billion US dollars, and played a positive role in promoting world peace, stability and prosperity.

Consul General Zheng hoped that the UKNCC would make positive contribution to promoting the bilateral practical collaboration, which was echoed by Mr Slevin, who noted the tangible benefit of China-UK trade to the peoples and the unlimited potential in areas such as green and low-carbon, technology research and development, high-end manufacturing and infrastructure. He mentioned the important consensus on bilateral relations reached during the telephone conversation between Present Xi and Prime Minister Johnson, and expressed UKNCC’s willingness to join hands with the Chinese Consulate General in Manchester to focusing on cooperation and manage differences for a better future.

The two sides also exchanged views on tackling climate change and strengthening cooperation in new energy.