China strives to create new growth drivers for economic, trade cooperation with Britain: commerce ministry

China plans to sign trade and investment cooperation agreements with Britain during Prime Minister Keir Starmer's upcoming visit to the country, a spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Commerce said Tuesday.

These outcome documents will help create new growth drivers for bilateral economic and trade cooperation, the spokesperson made the remarks in response to a media inquiry.

"China attaches great importance to economic and trade cooperation with Britain and is actively working with Britain to prepare for the economic and trade cooperation outcomes from the visit, as well as a meeting of Chinese and British entrepreneurs," the spokesperson said.

Chinese and British companies have shown keen interests in the meeting, and more than 100 of them have registered to attend, the spokesperson added.

According to the spokesperson, the economic and trade relations between China and Britain have maintained sound and steady development. In 2025, bilateral trade in goods reached 103.7 billion U.S. dollars, trade in services is projected to exceed 30 billion U.S. dollars, and the stock of two-way investment is nearly 68 billion U.S. dollars.

Britain has served as the guest of honor at the 25th China International Fair for Investment and Trade and the Fourth China International Consumer Goods Fair, demonstrating the vibrant and pragmatic cooperation between the two countries.

The Chinese Ministry of Commerce is willing to work with the British economic and trade authorities to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, strengthen communication on economic and trade policies, create a fair and transparent business environment under the rule of law for cooperation between enterprises of both sides, and continuously elevate bilateral economic and trade relations to new heights, said the spokesperson.

At the invitation of Chinese Premier Li Qiang, the British prime minister will pay an official visit to China from Jan. 28 to 31, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson announced earlier Tuesday.

It will mark the first visit by a British prime minister to China in eight years.

China strives to create new growth drivers for economic, trade cooperation with Britain: commerce ministry

Nearly 100 guests from the Chinese and American business, academic, and media sectors gathered in New York Friday to discuss new opportunities brought to the world by China's blueprint for high-quality development.

The "China in Springtime: China's Development Opportunities for the World" high-level dialogue, hosted by China Media Group, came after the "two sessions" concluded in Beijing, an event watched closely by many industry leaders in the United States.

Speakers said that as a key window into contemporary China, the annual "two sessions" once again drew global attention. This year's meetings approved important documents, including the Outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030). This roadmap for China's high-quality growth is seen as providing a new list of opportunities for the world.

Participants emphasized that China's development cannot be separated from the world, and global prosperity also requires China. They described this year as significant for China-U.S. relations, calling for a steady, sound, and sustainable development in bilateral ties that benefits both nations and the world.

During the session, guests from the investment and technology sectors explored topics such as the potential for China-U.S. economic and trade cooperation, as well as the global opportunities arising from technological innovation and new quality productive forces.

The event also featured screenings of CMG-produced programs, including an amazing martial arts performance presented by a dozen humanoid robots with young Kungfu artists at the recently staged Spring Festival Gala, China's most-watched TV show.

The dialogue series will be held in countries across Europe, Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America.

High-level dialogue in New York brings China's development opportunities to world