The UK government is stepping up efforts to increase services exports to China as ministers and business leaders from both countries meet in London to strengthen commercial ties and
explore new trade opportunities.
Trade Secretary Peter Kyle and China's Commerce Minister Wang Wentao will co-chair the 15th UK–China Joint Economic and Trade Commission (JETCO) at Mansion House on 2 July, bringing together around 200 British and Chinese companies from sectors including finance, legal services, manufacturing and technology.
The talks build on momentum generated by the UK Prime Minister's visit to China earlier this year and are expected to focus on expanding market access for British businesses, particularly in high-value services such as engineering, architecture, accounting, life sciences and professional consulting.
Although the UK is the world's second-largest exporter of services, China is only its ninth-largest destination for services exports, highlighting what ministers describe as significant untapped potential.
"The UK is a services superpower, and I want us to turbocharge our services exports and get more British engineers, architects and accountants exporting their skills to China," Kyle said. He added that expanding trade would support secure and resilient economic growth amid continuing global uncertainty.
Several commercial agreements announced ahead of the meeting demonstrate growing business engagement between the two countries. Barclays has entered China's domestic bond market through its first Panda Bond issuances by a UK-incorporated bank, while Formula E is expanding commercial partnerships in China.
Other initiatives include collaboration between the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants and Chinese authorities to advance mutual recognition of professional qualifications, and partnerships between the Royal College of Surgeons of England and Chinese healthcare institutions to strengthen surgical education and training. UK company Intelligent Fabric Technologies is also establishing operations in Hong Kong and Shanghai to commercialise its DreamSkin textile technology.
The visit will also see the launch of the Trade Booster initiative, a programme led by the China-Britain Business Council alongside HSBC, ICBC and JD.com. The initiative is designed to help UK small and medium-sized enterprises expand exports to China by providing practical support and market access.
Officials have also begun discussions on a Joint Feasibility Study into a potential bilateral Trade in Services Agreement, which could further open the Chinese market to British service providers.
Business leaders welcomed the renewed engagement. HSBC UK said stronger services trade would create significant opportunities for both economies, while Will Butler-Adams, CEO of Brompton Bicycle, highlighted the company's nearly two decades of growth in China, where it now operates more than 60 stores.
According to the China-Britain Business Council, total UK-China trade reached £135 billion in 2025, up 5.6% year-on-year, while UK services exports to China rose to £21 billion.
The government said the renewed dialogue reflects its strategy of maintaining a pragmatic relationship with China—expanding trade and investment where beneficial while continuing to safeguard the UK's national security interests. Photo by Number 10, Wikimedia commons.
