British Energy Secretary visits China

In March 2025, British Energy Secretary Ed Miliband visited China on the first formal climate and energy dialogue between the UK and China since 2017. The British Chamber were delighted to support on the visit, including facilitating meetings between the Energy Secretary and leading UK businesses with a footprint in China’s growing clean energy sector.

The UK Government’s recap of the visit notes the importance of “pragmatic cooperation” on climate between the UK and China, supporting the UK’s goals of growing its economy while balancing national security and other concerns. The British Chamber look forward to capitalising on this restart of discussions over clean energy between the two countries, including through the launch of a formal Climate Dialogue, through Chinese ministerial visits to the UK, and the commitment to frank, regular discussions over climate and energy moving forward.

As well as his meetings with UK businesses who are leading cooperation between the UK and China over clean energy, Mr Miliband held a number of visits to key Chinese interlocutors including with Minister Huang Runqiu from the Ministry of Ecology and Environment; a meeting with Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang on energy and climate, and a signing of an Memorandum of Understanding on Clean Energy with officials at the National Energy Administration.

For more information on the Energy Secretary’s visit, including key takeaways and quotes, slide through our “key facts” on the dialogue.

As part of wider activities around the Energy Secretary’s visit, the Chamber were delighted to host the UK-China Clean Energy Reception in partnership with the British Embassy in Beijing and the China-Britain Business Council. The event brought together nearly 200 guests, including representatives from the UK government, Chinese companies, and UK businesses, providing a valuable platform for business and government stakeholders to network and explore collaboration opportunities in the sector.