On 18 April 2024, H.E. Ambassador Zheng Zeguang attended the China-Midlands Cooperation Forum hosted by the China Chamber of Commerce in the UK and the China-Britain Business Council in Coventry and delivered a keynote speech at the Forum at invitation.

Ambassador Zheng pointed out that China is firmly committed to pursuing modernisation with Chinese characteristics. It is advancing high-quality development, cultivating new quality productive forces, upgrading traditional industries, and creating new technologies, new business models and new industries, and has introduced a series of new measures to expand domestic demand and promote high-standard opening up. Since the beginning of this year, the Chinese economy has continued to improve, with a year-on-year growth of 5.3% in the first quarter, making a good start of the year. China is confident in achieving its economic and social development goals. It will expand market access in multiple sectors and continue to foster a market-oriented, law-based and internationalised business environment, which will bring new opportunities for foreign investment in China.

Ambassador Zheng said that the Western media have been keen on spreading pessimistic narratives about China's development prospects. They have been keen on doing so for decades, but their predictions have been and will continue to be defeated by facts. Some Western politicians, under the pretext of safeguarding economic security, are clamouring for "decoupling" and "de-risking" from China. Any country that does so will only hurt itself and will not stop China's development. China-UK economic and trade cooperation is mutually beneficial in nature. There is enormous potential for win-win collaboration between China and the Midlands. Ambassador Zheng hoped that business communities from both sides will seize opportunities and take actions. He encouraged British companies to invest and develop business in China, and bring more high-quality products and services to the Chinese market. The Chinese Embassy in the UK will, as always, provide support and facilitation for business communities of both countries.

The Forum was moderated by Fang Wenjian, Chairman of CCCUK. Sir Sherard Cowper-Coles, Chair of CBBC, and Shehzad Chaudhary, International Trade & Investment Director for the Midlands at the Department for Business and Trade, delivered remarks at the Forum. Several Chinese and British entrepreneurs shared their views and experience and ideas on business opportunities.