China's commerce ministry hosts roundtable for British enterprises

China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) held in Beijing on Thursday a roundtable for British enterprises, during which the participating British officials and businesspeople exchanged views with competent Chinese government officials on economic and trade cooperation between China and Britain, the MOFCOM said on Friday.

The event was attended by British Trade Commissioner for China Lewis Neal, along with representatives from 30 British enterprises and business associations, including the China-Britain Business Council and the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC).

Economic and trade cooperation between China and the United Kingdom has grown steadily in recent years, and the two sides should deepen trade and investment cooperation to achieve mutually beneficial, win-win outcomes, said China's Vice Minister of Commerce Ling Ji, who chaired the meeting.

Ling, also a deputy China international trade representative, said that China-UK economic and trade cooperation has shown resilience and vitality in recent years, with the two sides' industrial strengths proving complementary to each other.

He added that both sides should leverage economic and trade ties as a stabilizer and driver of China-UK relations, and work together to uphold a fair and reasonable international economic and trade order.

China's economy has made steady progress, providing a broad stage for foreign-funded enterprises, Ling said. He noted that during the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030), China will prioritize expanding opening up in the services sector, and the country welcomes British companies to seize opportunities and increase investment in areas such as consumption, green transition and technological innovation.

Ling also added that China will work with the UK to deepen services cooperation and cultivate new growth points in bilateral economic and trade ties.

Neal said economic and trade relations are of great importance to broader UK-China relations.

Attending representatives of British companies at the roundtable noted that China's market potential remains strong, and its business environment continues to improve. They added that the 15th Five-Year Plan has further strengthened their confidence in long-term investment and operations in China.

China's commerce ministry hosts roundtable for British enterprises

As schools in Beijing have started the winter vacation, the annual ice and snow carnival at the Yuanmingyuan Park, also known as the Old Summer Palace, sees increasing visits.

With an 80,000-square-meter area set for diverse ice and snow activities, the largest on its record, the ice and snow field at the park has become a popular destination for families to enjoy outdoor activities.

"We just come to feel for it here in winter. My kid happens to just have started her winter vacation, so I bring her here to get more contact with snow and enjoy the fun of playing with it," said Chen Nihua, a resident.

The ice field of the park features a 46-lane snow-tubing run that sends riders down in unison, and offers colorful activities such as electric sleds and snow zorbing.

"With the start of winter vacation, we have received an average of more than 300 visits daily, apparently more than usual. There are many children in the ice field, so we always remind parents of keeping the children company in all ice and snow sports, so as to ensure a safe and orderly playtime," said Wang Xiaodong, operating and managing director of the Yuanmingyuan Park.

Beijing park ice-snow carnival sees increasing visits