Strengthening UK-Shanghai Commercial Ties: CUKBDC Chairman Meets Shanghai CCPIT

Published: 8 April 2026

Caption: John McLean OBE and the CUKBDC delegation in high-level talks with Shanghai CCPIT officials to bolster bilateral trade mechanisms.

Overview

On 24 March 2026, John McLean OBE, Chairman of the China-UK Business Development Centre (CUKBDC), led a strategic delegation to Shanghai. The meeting with senior figures from the Shanghai Council for the Promotion of International Trade (Shanghai CCPIT) aimed to deepen commercial links and high-level engagement between the UK and Shanghai.

Strategic Cooperation in a Global Context

During the discussions, both parties addressed shared challenges in the global economic environment. A key priority was boosting confidence among British businesses operating within China.

Mr McLean emphasised that closer institutional cooperation would provide "steady support" for the broader UK-China trading relationship, underpinning long-term business certainty.

"Stronger partnerships will help underpin long-term business certainty and provide steady support for the UK-China trading relationship."— John McLean OBE

Enhancing Enterprise Services

Yang Dongsheng, Vice Chairman of Shanghai CCPIT, outlined the organisation's role as a vital platform for international trade. He highlighted several key initiatives:

·       Business Support: Enhancing services to improve precision and effectiveness for enterprises.

·       Global Expansion: Supporting Chinese firms in their overseas ventures.

·       Investment: Attracting further international investment to the Shanghai region.

The two sides reached positive agreements on aligning exhibition resources and facilitating reciprocal business participation in future trade fairs.

Delegation and Next Steps

Building on this momentum, CUKBDC and Shanghai CCPIT aim to expand cooperation across trade, investment, and international exchange platforms.

The delegation included the Founder and CEO of Transphere Consulting, alongside senior officials from Shanghai CCPIT’s International Liaison Department, Chamber Secretariat, and Trade and Investment Promotion Department.