A busy week for UK businesses at CIFTIS 2023!

CIFTIS 2023 – The Week in Review

The China International Fair for Trade in Services (or CIFTIS for short) is one of the three biggest trade fairs in China. Taking place in Beijing, it showcases the best in domestic and foreign service providers, in sectors from educational services and tourism, to financial services and telecommunications.

This year is particularly special for us at the British Chamber, as the UK was named the Guest Country of Honour for the fair. Read on to find out more about what we and our members have done to mark this special occasion!

Welcome Reception

BritCham was honoured to host a welcome reception for the UK's visiting delegation for CIFTIS 2023. Along with our partners, the UK Government and the China-Britain Business Council, we welcomed over 200 guests from business, diplomacy, and culture to mark this important occasion. 

It was our pleasure to host Lord Dominic Johnson, Minister of Investment in the Department for Business and Trade, to open proceedings for the UK's involvement in CIFTIS. We additionally give our thanks to Chamber member 5 Star Plus Retail Design for their support in producing the event.

Click here to see our full wrapup of the evening.

Sustainability Report Preview

At CIFTIS, the Chamber also presented a preview of its newest report, Spotlight on Sustainability: Journey to Net-Zero. Alexandra Hirst, Manager of Policy and Advocacy, gave attendees a special insight into how British businesses are tackling the crucial issue of climate change here in China, and what space exists for collaboration between the UK and China in combatting the climate crisis. Thank you to the UK Pavilion for hosting us for this talk.

Check out today's other WeChat post for a sneak preview of the report's findings. You can also hear full insights, alongside panel discussions on prospects for UK-China cooperation over climate change, at our Sustainability Summit on 19th September.

CCG Roundtable

BritCham MD Rachel Tsang was also invited to the Center for China and Globalisation's 10th Inbound Outbound Forum, discussing opportunities that the Beijing Two-Zones provide for foreign businesses. 

While many welcoming messages and measures have been put in place to encourage investment and foreign talent to China, Rachel highlighted the conditional optimism facing British businesses, and emphasised the need for greater communications and consultation between businesses and the government, members flourish under open, certain and stable environments. 

We are already seeing some openness in areas and sectors in which the Chamber had been advocating for, such as in vocational education, and we look forward to more incoming policies to further support foreign businesses in country, and those who are looking to invest.

Members at CIFTIS

Many of our members – from educational providers to healthcare services – are participating in CIFTIS this year. Our member booths showcase the best in British talent, knowledge and services across a variety of sectors, creating connections and improving business links across China and the world.

Here's what some of what our members have been up to:

UK Pavilion

As Guest Country of Honour, the UK Pavilion featured the best in UK talent in services. From highlighting famous British bands throughout the ages, to showcasing the latest innovations in design and technology, the UK Pavilion proved to be a hive of activity throughout all five days of the event.

Congratulations to the British Embassy Beijing, the Department of Business and Trade, and all those involved in making CIFTIS a resounding success!

Click below to learn more about the UK's activities over the CIFTIS period.

Thank you to our sustaining members!