The principled agreement reached between China and the United States during recent talks in London represents a significant move in the right direction, said John McLean, Chairman of the China-UK Business Development Centre, who also expressed strong confidence in the resilience of the Chinese economy.
McLean made the remarks in an interview on the sidelines of the three-day 2025 Beijing CBD Forum, which opened on Wednesday with the goal of further strengthening China's connection with the global community.
The first meeting of the China-U.S. economic and trade consultation mechanism was held in London from Monday to Tuesday.
The two sides held candid and in-depth talks and thoroughly exchanged views on economic and trade issues of mutual concern.
An agreement in principle was reached on implementing the important consensus made between the two heads of state during their phone call on June 5 and the framework of measures to consolidate the outcomes of the economic and trade talks in Geneva, and new progress was forged in addressing each other's economic and trade concerns.
McLean lauded the agreement, stressing that businesses around the world hope for more stable relations between the world's two largest economies.
"This is good, very good for the world, very good for trade. Because we are in the sea of uncertainty. If we can reduce the uncertainty, I don't think we can ever get back to a level playing field because of the turmoil that happened, and also don't forget this is just China and the U.S. There are a number of other countries which actually have to find an accord, and the 10 percent tariff is in existence today. So, it is a significant step in the right direction," he said.
With over two decades of business experience in China, McLean expressed confidence in the country's ability to navigate the economic uncertainties.
"I've been trading in China for something like 26 years. Probably not quite, but each year I read in the paper: 'Chinese growth under challenge. Can they do 10 percent? Can they do 8 percent? Can they do 6 percent? Can they do 5 percent?' But the levers that China has in terms of managing its economy, I would say, I have trust in them to be able to actually pull those levers, because they demonstrated over the last 20 odd years that they can do it. I'm not saying it is going to be easy. And when you see what's actually happened, here in terms of their technological advances and their green energy advances, you have to think they have the capability in the know-how," he said.
Principled agreement between China, U.S. marks significant step forward: UK business leader
The Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) is emerging as a key engine for China's fast-growing low-altitude economy by leveraging its dense industrial networks, efficient logistics systems, and rapid innovation capacity.
From logistics and manufacturing to urban services, the region is building an integrated industrial chain that allows low-altitude industries to scale up at unprecedented speed, thus turning drone-based applications from isolated trials into large-scale, commercial operations.
China's 15th Five-Year Plan, covering 2026 to 2030, calls for the cultivation of new pillar industries and the accelerated development of strategic emerging industrial clusters, including the low-altitude economy.
At a drone operations center in Bao'an District, Shenzhen City in south China's Guangdong Province, a dozen logistics drones take off and land within minutes. Urgently needed production parts, documents, and small parcels are dispatched from here to cities in the province including Dongguan, Zhongshan, and Zhuhai.
Behind these high-flying aircraft lies what observers describe as an "invisible industrial chain", built on speed and efficiency.
"Look at this aircraft. About 90 percent of its components come from nearby areas. Relying on Shenzhen's strong logistics capabilities and its complete supply chain, these parts can be delivered to our factory within half an hour for assembly, processing, and production," said Li Kunhuang, person-in-charge of Shenzhen GODO Innovation Technology Co., Ltd.
Once a new product is unveiled, testing and calibration begin immediately at the drone testing field. As soon as the process is completed, the new models can be put into real-world operation, realizing almost “zero delay” from research and development to application.
Supported by a robust industrial chain, low-altitude routes in Shenzhen are effectively connecting the urban landscape. From its Bao'an District to Songshan Lake in Dongguan City, production components can be delivered within one hour. Supplies are transported between Zhuhai City's Xiangzhou Port to Dong'ao Island in just 25 minutes. And light industrial goods can travel round-trip within a single day between Guzhen Town in Zhongshan City and Xinhui District in Jiangmen City.
More low-altitude application scenarios are expected to be implemented in the near future.
In Qianhai District, Shenzhen is accelerating the construction of a pilot demonstration zone of low-altitude integrated three-dimensional transportation hub.
"We have built the country's first low-altitude integrated three-dimensional transportation hub, and are gradually developing a pilot flight zone that integrates multiple scenarios such as inspection, logistics, and cultural tourism. This will provide technical support for the next step of commercializing cross-border logistics and emergency rescue services across the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area," said Wu Xuemin, head of the Shenzhen Qianhai Low-Altitude Integrated Three-Dimensional Transportation Hub Pilot Demonstration Zone.
Integrated supply chains propel Greater Bay Area's low-altitude economy growth
Integrated supply chains propel Greater Bay Area's low-altitude economy growth
