UK to hold first trade talks with China in 7 years
Source: gov.uk (2025-09-08)

Working people benefit as UK to hold first trade talks with China in 7 years to deliver economic growth

Economic growth to be boosted as the first UK-China Joint Economic and Trade Commission (JETCO) meets since 2018

UK businesses join the new Business and Trade Secretary as he looks to secure deals worth over £1 billion over five years - delivering our Plan for Change.

Clear benefits as new figures backed by UK business show trade with the second largest economy in the world delivered £2 billion in export wins over the last financial year

Working people and businesses to benefit from increased economic growth as the government pursues a pragmatic, careful and confident relationship with China through the relaunch of trade talks this week.

The newly appointed Business and Trade Secretary Peter Kyle will use the first UK-China Joint Economic and Trade Commission (JETCO) since 2018 to press for British businesses to have greater access to the Chinese market, the second largest economy in the world.

The trip to Beijing will finalise new trade wins that make exporting easier for British companies, putting more money into employees’ pockets as part of our Plan for Change, and boost cooperation in our biggest sectors, including professional services, automotive, and healthcare.

This comes as new figures show nearly £2 billion in export wins to China were supported by government in the last financial year, with creative industries, retail, and healthcare among the biggest successes.

Revising our trade relationship with Beijing through these engagements could present huge opportunities for UK exporters, potentially providing greater access to British businesses to a country with a growing middle-class market that is forecast to contribute 23% of global growth between 2023 and 2050.

The Secretary of State will also raise challenges in the bilateral relationship including human rights and level playing field issues that undermine fair competition for UK business.

These are the hallmarks of grown-up government when it comes to dealing with China, cooperating where we can and challenging where we must - never compromising on our national security.

Business and Trade Secretary Peter Kyle said:

Serious and strategic engagement with the world’s foremost economic players is what will deliver for working people and businesses across the UK.

Restarting trade talks with China is an essential tool to put money into people’s pockets as part of the government’s Plan for Change.

British businesses will be an important part of my visit, helping open doors to greater commercial opportunities

More discussions and direct engagement with China will ensure trade between us can flourish, strengthen our national security, and create space to raise concerns constructively where needed.

It comes as new figures show nearly £2 billion in export wins to China were supported by government in the last financial year, with creative industries, retail, and healthcare among the biggest successes.

These include, amongst others:
- The Premier League has signed an exclusive three-season broadcasting agreement with Migu, a China Mobile-owned streaming platform, making it the sole digital broadcaster of all 380 matches in mainland China from the 2025–26 to 2027–28 seasons.
- British health science leader Cultech Group signed a strategic agreement with China Resources to introduce its ProVen probiotic range to the Chinese market, enabling millions of consumers to access UK-developed innovations that support digestive health, immune resilience, and overall wellbeing.
- Hayman’s Distillery secured new business in China following its participation in a gin tasting event hosted in Shanghai in May 2024.
- EVE LOM strengthened its presence in China following its participation in DBT’s Influencer Mission to the UK and collaboration with leading impactful influencers, boosting brand awareness, expanding distribution channels, and enhancing its sustainable export value to China over the last financial
- Oxford University Press (OUP) partnered with the acclaimed curatorial team of WWAC and the National Library of China to launch “Talk About the World with Oxford,” an immersive exhibition that bridges global knowledge with local engagement, offering visitors a unique cultural experience on the UK IP at the heart of China’s national library.
- The Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET) partnered with leading Chinese counterparts like China Association for Science and Technology to promote engineering skills and professional standards, supporting priority sectors outlined in the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy.
- Clan Healthcare a leading British nutrition supplement company, provides high-end, UK-made products to China through its commitment to scientific research and sustainability. It has partnered with SOLARCARE Medical to develop solutions to anti-ageing and assisted reproduction in China since 2024.
- DBT helped Acron Aviation (formerly known as L3 Harris) in their marketing efforts to China, committed to offer HMG support for its PR issue. This collaborative effort has helped Acron Aviation in sales of full flight simulators to Guangdong Meihua Aviation Technology Co., Ltd, marking the success of further business expansion in China market.
- British maritime technology leader Silverstream Technologies has implemented its innovative air lubrication system—a proven green shipping solution—across multiple vessel categories manufactured by Chinese shipyards with substantial support from DBT China.
- Pearson collaborated with education institutions such as China Education Association for International Exchange, local Chinese schools and universities to enhance educational content and standards focused on key areas such as STEM, English language learning, digital literacy, and skills development, contributing to building a future-ready workforce and talent pool.
- British well-known architecture design firm Aedas expanded its Chinese client base, established an extensive business network, and ventured into new business areas by participating in a series of activities organized by the DBT China team last year, achieving notable business successes.
The visit is expected to deliver an ambitious package of more than £1 billion of market access wins over five years across priority sectors targeted in the UK’s recent Industrial Strategy. China is a huge market for cars and easier access for British carmakers – who directly employ around 133,000 UK workers – presents a massive UK export opportunity.

Similarly, resolution of agri-food barriers such as cattle hides, sheep skins, and porcine genetics will help diversify and expand the UK’s food and drink industry, which accounts for 6.2% of national GVA. Regular UK and China exchanges are also supporting UK technical and vocational education and training providers to have their qualifications and services recognised in China.

In addition to fresh trade talks, the Business and Trade Secretary will also co-chair the first UK-China Industrial Cooperation Dialogue (ICD) since 2022. The talks will promote UK-China cooperation on industrial decarbonisation and the digital economy and discuss standards that make it easier for UK automotive manufacturers to enter the Chinese market.

Jay Li, The Premier League Managing Director in China, said:

The Premier League and our clubs have an incredible fanbase in China and the opening of our office in Beijing last year marked an exciting next step as we continue to build and strengthen our relationships with fans and partners.

We are proud to build on over 15 years of football development in China and delivering programmes and activities to support the elite and grassroots game. We are also excited about our new partnership with Migu, a China mobile-owned streaming platform, making it the sole digital broadcaster of all 380 Premier League matches in mainland China until the end of the 2027–28 season.

As the world’s most watched football league, with a combined global audience of 1.9bn, broadcast into 189 countries the Premier League is a key driver of economic activity and growth for the UK. Our continued growth in China has a tangible and positive benefit for the UK economy.

Sharon Hague, Pearson’s UK CEO and President of English Language Learning, said:

This is a pivotal moment for education and innovation.

Rapid advances in technology and demographic shifts are transforming how we all prepare for the future.

UK-China partnerships in trade and education are vital to addressing these challenges, and this visit presents exciting opportunities for Pearson to strengthen its collaboration with education and training institutions.

Neil Willis, Managing Director of Cranswick Fresh Pork, said:

The China market has always been the most important overseas export market for British pork. The long-term trade relationship with China provides an incredibly important contribution and supports the British pork industry.

It is a partnership that we cherish, and I would like to extend my thanks for the ongoing support from Government to secure these deals and identify future growth opportunities. We will continue our commitment to the China market on a long-term basis, continuously investing and growing together.

Notes to editor
- The Business and Trade Secretary travelled directly to Beijing from Washington to hold the JETCO and Industrial Cooperation Dialogue taking place on Wednesday 10 and Thursday 11 September CST.
- The UK food and drink industry contributed £153 billion to the UK economy in 2023; this was 6.2% of UK GVA. The figure includes agriculture (excl. fishing), food and drink manufacturing, wholesaling, retailing, and non-residential catering. Agriculture in the United Kingdom 2024 - GOV.UK (https://eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gov.uk%2Fgovernment%2Fstatistics%2Fagriculture-in-the-united-kingdom-2024&data=05%7C02%7CGeorge.Mathias%40businessandtrade.gov.uk%7C6d659eae8877449aa29908ddefaa9967%7C8fa217ec33aa46fbad96dfe68006bb86%7C0%7C0%7C638930238203077404%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=2cwtQo3nXfNSxdHv3%2F68Ma5M6x1nVLrb1kxyXQ3apOk%3D&reserved=0)
- China is forecast to contribute 23% of global growth between 2023 and 2050 Global trade outlook: June 2025 report - GOV.UK (https://eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gov.uk%2Fgovernment%2Fpublications%2Fglobal-trade-outlook-june-2025-report&data=05%7C02%7CGeorge.Mathias%40businessandtrade.gov.uk%7C6d659eae8877449aa29908ddefaa9967%7C8fa217ec33aa46fbad96dfe68006bb86%7C0%7C0%7C638930238203101676%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=WGqzbNr276MOfSMcG21BwxSEY0%2Ft%2FH4%2F289oBBrxStw%3D&reserved=0)
- The aggregate figure of over £1bn over 5 years is for seven market access barriers. To calculate the aggregate figures, the mid-point for each valuation range is estimated over a five-year period and added to provide a central estimate. This figure represents additional exports to UK businesses on the resolution of the market access barriers. Further details on the methodology for the aggregate valuation figures are published in a DBT analytical working paper. (https://eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gov.uk%2Fgovernment%2Fpublications%2Fmethodologies-for-valuing-market-access-barriers&data=05%7C02%7CGeorge.Mathias%40businessandtrade.gov.uk%7C6d659eae8877449aa29908ddefaa9967%7C8fa217ec33aa46fbad96dfe68006bb86%7C0%7C0%7C638930238203116350%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=CNDcLdTGL3WxXHaptW%2BLl1QxVQjW%2F4FoRxOM4M3AhWM%3D&reserved=0)
- Full details on the DBT methodology for the £2 billion export wins supported over the last financial year are published here https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/export-wins-to-china-2024-to-2025-confirmed-results (https://eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gov.uk%2Fgovernment%2Fpublications%2Fexport-wins-to-china-2024-to-2025-confirmed-results&data=05%7C02%7CGeorge.Mathias%40businessandtrade.gov.uk%7C6d659eae8877449aa29908ddefaa9967%7C8fa217ec33aa46fbad96dfe68006bb86%7C0%7C0%7C638930238203130034%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=7sKNVp2RiOHa2Ejk1QmbLGZMtQoTZLWQOlJWovL2WSc%3D&reserved=0)