Cambridge China Business Forum 2025: A Comprehensive Recap

Co-hosted by the Cambridge China Business Society and the Chinese Students and Scholars Association in Cambridge, the Cambridge China Business Forum 2025 successfully concluded on May 30 at the Cambridge Union. Under the theme "Innovation-Driven Future: Advancing Global Markets with Emerging Tech" the forum convened scholars, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and emerging young leaders from China and the UK. Discussions revolved around green technology, artificial intelligence, e-commerce, and consumer trends, focusing on how technological transformation is reshaping global business dynamics.

The event received strong support from Cambridge Judge Business School, along with special sponsorship from the Bank of China and JinkoSolar. Their involvement underscores the vital synergy between finance and technology in driving global sustainable innovation.

Opening Remarks: A Dialogue Among Academia, Policy, and Technology

Three distinguished speakers delivered opening remarks, each offering perspectives from academia, policy, and industry, highlighting the depth and breadth of China-UK collaboration.

Professor Gishan Dissanaike, Dean of Cambridge Judge Business School, reaffirmed the university's mission to nurture business leaders with global responsibility and intercultural understanding. He encouraged more young Chinese scholars to explore innovative paths in corporate governance and sustainable development at Cambridge.

Counsellor Li Peng from the Economic and Commercial Section of the Chinese Embassy in the UK emphasized the vast opportunities for China-UK cooperation in trade, investment, technology, and green development. "Universities are hubs of innovation and crucial bridges in China-UK relations," he noted. "I hope students will cherish their overseas study experiences and become ambassadors for bilateral economic and trade collaboration." He added that pragmatic partnerships are already emerging in areas like clean energy and smart manufacturing, with youth poised to play a vital role in future multinational cooperation.

Professor Daping Chu, from Cambridge's Department of Engineering and Academic Director of the Cambridge-Nanjing Centre, reviewed AI and green energy collaborations between China and the UK. Using the Cambridge-Nanjing Innovation Centre as a case study, he illustrated a synergy model of "joint R&D, technology incubation, and talent mobility." He stressed that "scientific innovation should not end at theoretical breakthroughs, but must address social needs, connect global intelligence, and drive a shared future."

Mr. John McLean OBE reflected on the longstanding ties between the two nations in commerce, society, and sustainable development. He underscored the importance of mutual understanding and people-to-people cooperation, especially in tackling global challenges. As a seasoned advocate for China-UK relations, Mr McLean called for trust-based dialogue among enterprises, institutions, and talent, noting that future partnerships must resonate not only economically, but also culturally and ethically.

Forum I: AI Innovation Forum – Embracing the Intelligent Era

Keynote: Dr. Ning Ning (VP of Solutions and Delivery, 01.AI) — "How Generative AI is Reshaping the Industrial Landscape"

Dr. Ning outlined the evolution of large models and how generative AI is becoming the "new operating system" of modern industries, evolving from language perception to world understanding and collaborative decision-making. He emphasized that the shift from narrow models to general-purpose infrastructures is turning AI into a reusable foundation, making the core of business competition about process and value chain reinvention rather than simple AI adoption. With improving inference power and dropping costs, AI is transitioning from experimental phases into outcome-driven applications. At 01.AI, large models and proprietary platforms are being deployed globally to deliver real business value for enterprise and sovereign clients.

Panel: "Forging the Future: Collaboration, Ethics, and Real-World Impact"

Participants including Professor Per Ola Kristensson (University of Cambridge), Kidd Wang (Director at Tencent Games Global), Xiao Xiao Zhu (Digital Partner at KKR), and Xiaowei Zhu (Head of International Business Development, AWS) addressed ethical dilemmas and collaborative possibilities in AI deployment. Panelists agreed that the opaque nature of generative AI and risks of bias require robust governance. Cross-sector collaboration will be vital in enhancing transparency and accountability. The panel called for joint efforts across academia, industry, and policy to build a trustworthy AI ecosystem that equitably distributes benefits.

Forum II: Green Technology Forum – Pathways to a Sustainable Future

Keynote: Professor David Newbery CBE, FBA (Director, Cambridge Energy Policy Research Group) — "Curtailment and Locational Signals in UK-China Renewable Development"

Using detailed data and policy analysis, Prof. Newbery explored the issue of renewable energy curtailment stemming from limited grid capacity and imbalanced regional investments. He argued for enhanced regional pricing mechanisms and flexible electricity dispatch systems. Strategic contract design and prioritizing grid investments are key to improving efficiency and economic performance. Only through both institutional and technological reforms can nations achieve both decarbonization and energy equity.

Keynote: Ms. Dany Qian (Global VP, JinkoSolar) — "Pathways and Challenges for Chinese Green Tech Companies Going Global"

Ms. Qian emphasized the critical roles of technological innovation, ecosystem collaboration, and global responsibility in advancing the solar industry. Drawing on her extensive experience with COP, B20, and G20 summits, she analyzed challenges for Chinese green tech firms going global, such as supply chain restructuring, green trade barriers, and brand trust. She stressed the need for aligned efforts in regulation, innovation, and communication to amplify China’s voice in global climate governance.

Panel: "Empowering a Sustainable Future: From Technology to Practice"

Panelists included Dr. Kamiar Mohaddes (Associate Professor at University of Cambridge), Alex Schoch (Director of Flexibility and Electrification, Octopus Energy), Dr. Kotub Uddin (Chief Engineer, Envision Energy), Haopeng Li (Sales & Marketing Manager, BYD UK & Ireland), and Ms. Dany Qian. They emphasized that innovation must be accompanied by business model evolution to bridge the gap between clean technologies and sustainable lifestyles. In areas like smart energy management and distributed power systems, East-West collaboration is increasingly synergistic. The panel advocated for cross-regional pilot projects and stronger green finance to drive scalable progress.

Forum III: E-commerce & Consumer Trends – Driving New Consumption

Keynote: Mr. Pass Lei (VP of International Business, JD.com) — "The Future of E-Commerce: AI-Powered Consumer Transformation"

Mr. Lei used JD.com’s development as a case study to illustrate how AI is reshaping the entire retail chain, from warehousing and logistics to customer interaction. He highlighted growing challenges in the West and China: consumption fragmentation and the need for automation. JD’s AI-driven systems, including smart warehousing, autonomous delivery, and algorithmic pricing, form a data-responsive retail loop. He emphasized that future competition will be based not on channels, but on responsiveness and user experience.

Panel: "Shaping the Future of E-Commerce: AI, Digitization, and Consumer Journeys"

Panelists included Professor Simon Taylor (University of Cambridge), Mr. Lei, and Mr. Wei Zhang (CFO & COO, GF Financial Markets UK). Mr. Zhang highlighted the shift towards immediacy and personalization among next-gen consumers. He emphasized the importance of using foundation models to interpret behavior, strengthen recommendations, and integrate omni-channel strategies. The panel concluded that future consumption scenarios will be shaped by a fusion of technology, culture, and experience, with AI playing a dual role in contextual creation and value discovery.

Forum IV: Parallel Highlights – Connecting Innovation and Leadership

Entrepreneurship Exchange: From Idea to Impact, The Entrepreneur's Journey

This session brought together founders and investors from tech, consumer, and clean energy startups, including Dr. Jerry Wu (Managing Director & UK Head, Longriver Investments), Dr. Yuxiang Wu (CTO & Co-founder, Weco AI), Gene Lewis (CEO, Gavion), and Emily Song (Managing Partner, Baker Street Venture Partners). Key topics included identifying core business propositions, navigating funding negotiations, and maintaining strategic focus during scale-up. Cambridge students engaged in vibrant exchanges, asking practical questions and gaining real-world insights.

AI Application: Driving Transformation Across Industries

This session featured Xiao-Xiao J. Zhu (KKR), Dr. Ning Ning (01.AI), and Alan Shen (TikTok UK), showcasing real-world AI use cases in healthcare, finance, and supply chains. Speakers highlighted the importance of data quality, scenario design, and deployment strategies, while addressing compliance and ethics. Students showed strong interest in AI career pathways and interdisciplinary participation, reflecting Cambridge’s spirit of curiosity and intellectual engagement.

Closing Remarks: Continuing the Conversation

The day concluded with a keynote by John McLean, who reflected on the heritage of entrepreneurial exchange between China and the UK. He emphasized that young people are central to shaping bilateral ties and called for deeper dialogue built on trust. He praised the forum as a bridge of consensus and a hub for shared vision. In a world of rapid change, he urged youth to engage boldly in innovation and social transformation.

With over 200 attendees from China, the UK, and across Europe, the forum buzzed with energy. From photos and networking to spirited discussions, it showcased the forum’s unique cross-cultural appeal. Dialogue among government, academia, and industry laid a solid foundation for future cooperation.

Since its founding, the Cambridge China Business Forum has remained committed to its mission: building bridges, fostering understanding, and empowering youth. The 2025 edition offered rich insights and real interactions among decision-makers and future leaders from diverse backgrounds.

Though the forum has concluded, the conversation continues. We warmly welcome new partners to join this growing platform and contribute to an ever-closer, more open, and enduring China-UK innovation network.

See you next spring in Cambridge!

Special thanks to Uplifeting®, a global design platform founded by Cambridge alumni, for providing full visual design support powered by Hybrid Intelligence.