Reflecting on 2024: A note from BritCham MD Rachel Tsang

Dear members and friends of the BritCham community,

As we approach the end of 2024, I find myself reflecting on what has been an incredible year with the British business community in China. While the first half of the year carried over some of the uncertainties we faced in 2023, the latter months brought a renewed sense of optimism. This period was marked by consistency in UK-China relations and a collective confidence in the future of the bilateral relationship. The British Chamber team has made remarkable progress in strengthening connections, fostering collaboration, and supporting British businesses across China.

Strengthening our reach

This year, we celebrated a significant milestone, achieving a record number of memberships—our largest and most diverse community to date, with representation spanning cities such as Haikou, Wuhan, Nanjing, and Kunming. This growth reaffirms our commitment to representing British businesses not just in Beijing but across the entire China market. Among the initiatives to enhance member engagement was a refreshed website, offering a modernised, user-friendly experience designed to better serve our members and highlight the Chamber’s activities.

We also strengthened our sense of community through a wide range of events, including the exclusive “Talks at the Bell” series, organised in collaboration with the British Embassy. These intimate gatherings provided knowledge and insights in a truly unique setting. Our member-only events solidified the Chamber as a hub for networking, knowledge-sharing, and cultural celebration. Additionally, the launch of The Chamber magazine allowed us to share member stories and achievements, amplifying the voices of our diverse and growing community.

Collaborations

Collaboration has been at the heart of everything we’ve accomplished this year. We continued our partnership with United Family Healthcare by hosting our annual Corporate Wellbeing Day, which explored physical, mental, and financial wellbeing. In June, we co-hosted an Economic Symposium with the Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business, delving into China’s evolving economic landscape. Meanwhile, our UN-partnered and KPMG-supported Sustainability Summit brought together leaders from government, business, and academia to tackle some of the most pressing challenges of our time.

This year also saw us exploring new areas of focus. In partnership with Berkeley Group, we launched discussions on urban regeneration and creative design, while our UK-China Conference during Doorknock Week in London gathered over 200 participants to address key bilateral topics.Beyond these, we were proud to support the British Business Awards in Shanghai—a biennial celebration of excellence that highlights the talent and innovation within the UK-China business community.

Deepening government engagement

Our role as a bridge between British businesses and policymakers remains one of our most vital responsibilities. This year, we participated in CCPIT delegations to Hainan and Xi’an, engaging with key stakeholders to explore regional opportunities and foster collaboration. On the UK government front, we had the honour of meeting the All-Party Parliamentary China Group during their visit to China earlier this year. Following the formation of the new Labour government, I was privileged to meet UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy during his visit two months ago. During this engagement, we presented key findings from our annual sentiment survey, highlighting the priorities and concerns of the British business community. These high-level meetings, combined with numerous roundtables and lunches with visiting ministers, provided invaluable platforms for dialogue, strengthening the ties between business and policy.

Supporting the next generation and the wider community

Supporting the next generation of leaders remains one of the most rewarding aspects of our work. This year, our 7th Young Professionals Development Programme, supported by Robarts Spaces, empowered participants with valuable skills such as design thinking, helping to shape future leaders within the UK-China business community. We also partnered with the British Council’s Mandarin Excellence Programme, sharing our experiences of living and working in China with young Mandarin language learners in the UK—potentially inspiring the next generation of professionals to contribute to UK-China bilateral relations.

In our broader community efforts, we were proud to donate over RMB 150,000 to charitable causes, reinforcing our commitment to giving back. Signature events like the Highland Games, British Christmas Market, Gala, and the British Ball—this year featuring an equestrian-themed “Night at the Races”—were not only memorable celebrations but also meaningful opportunities to bring people together and support important causes.

As a small but dynamic team, we understand the value of working hard while also taking the time to connect, learn, and enjoy shared experiences. This autumn, we organised a special field trip to explore and deepen our understanding of British retail brands thriving in the Chinese market. Among the highlights was our visit to the iconic Brompton, where we had the chance to witness firsthand the brand’s impact and innovation in the local market.

This initiative was more than just a learning opportunity—it was a chance to strengthen our ties with the British retail sector and celebrate the incredible contributions these brands make to UK-China trade. It also served as a reminder of the vibrant community of businesses we represent and support, reinforcing our commitment to championing their successes.