Something significant happened in Shenzhen this week — and I think it deserves more attention than it has received.

On 17 March 2025, I had the honour of welcoming what is believed to be the largest-ever UK civic delegation to China to Shenzhen, alongside the China-Britain Business Council (CBBC). The delegation included the Mayor of the West Midlands, Deputy Mayors of London, Manchester, Liverpool, and the East Midlands, as well as HM Consul-General Sarah Mann and Trevor Lewis, Head of Trade & Investment at the British Consulate-General Guangzhou.

These are not junior officials. This is serious, senior political commitment to the UK-China relationship — and it matters enormously.

What the Delegation Did

During their visit, the delegation engaged in high-level discussions with some of China’s most significant companies — BYD, Honor, Tencent, and Mindray — and toured Yantian Port, one of the busiest container ports in the world. A key highlight was an official meeting with the Shenzhen Mayor, focused on deepening trade and investment collaboration between UK regions and South China.

The visit concluded with a Welcome Reception hosted by the British Consulate-General, BritCham South China, and CBBC — joined by a London & Partners delegation of 15 UK technology companies, creating real new connections between British and Chinese enterprises on the ground.

My Reflection

I have been living and working in China for over 20 years. I have watched the UK-China relationship go through extraordinary shifts — periods of great warmth and periods of real difficulty. But what I know with absolute certainty is this: the relationship is built by people, not just policy.

When I addressed the delegation, I said what I genuinely believe: “I have seen more UK delegations visit China in the past six weeks than in the last six years. The size and seniority of this delegation demonstrates that both the UK and South China are open for business. I implore everyone to reach across the table, to build relationships, and to work together to help UK and Chinese businesses succeed.”

Britain’s long-term success in international trade — and in China specifically — will not be determined in Westminster alone. It will be determined by the businesses, entrepreneurs, and civic leaders who show up, build trust, and do the work on the ground. Visits like this one are how that begins.

I also extended an open invitation to the entire delegation: come to Shield Works in Zhuhai on your next trip. See a world-class, IP-secure British factory operating in China. That is what British business in China can look like — and it is something I am immensely proud to be part of.

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Mark Clayton FCMA CGMA CPA — Group CFO, C2W Group | Chairman, BritCham South China