Doorknock 2025: BritCham in London

Last week, the British Chamber of Commerce in China completed its fourth Doorknock – our flagship visit to the UK, where we bring insights from on the ground in China to the heart of policymaking in London.

Across the week, we met with senior officials from the Department for Business and Trade, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, HM Treasury and the Cabinet Office, alongside engagements in Parliament, with the British Chambers of Commerce, the China Chamber of Commerce UK and the China-Britain Business Council.

Highlights included discussions with Minister West and Ambassador Zheng Zeguang, where we reflected on the growing constructive, high-level UK-China engagement. We also hosted two important community events – our annual Summer Conference, alongside King’s College London, which welcomed 100 guests for a standout panel discussion on the UK-China relationship, and an alumni gathering for former Chamber board and staff members now based in the UK.

Over the course of the week, our team reflected on a change in UK government policy towards China, which has entered a more pragmatic phase, with renewed channels for dialogue. We were pleased to share examples of where progress is already being felt following the Economic and Financial Dialogue and sector-specific talks.

Growth remains central to the UK government’s international agenda – reflected in the publication of the new trade and industrial strategies, and the launch of the China Audit. It was timely to discuss with partners across government and business what this evolving landscape means for our members across China – and where we go next.

A big thank you to everyone who welcomed us so warmly in London, and to our full delegation: our newly elected Chair Chris Torrens, board members Daisy Shen, Julian Fisher and Julian MacCormac, British Chamber of Commerce in China regional representatives Mark Clayton and Mavis Yang, along with Carma Elliot representing the British Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai.