UK to restart trade talks with China after seven-year pause

Secretary of State Peter Kyle travels to Beijing for first JETCO meeting since 2018, with £1bn in market access wins expected

The UK will hold formal trade talks with China this week for the first time in seven years, with Business and Trade Secretary Peter Kyle in Beijing to co-chair the Joint Economic and Trade Commission (JETCO). It is the first meeting of its kind since 2018.

The government said the talks are expected to secure an “ambitious package” of more than £1 billion in market access opportunities over five years across sectors including automotive, professional services and healthcare. Kyle will also launch the Industrial Cooperation Dialogue, which last met in 2022, covering industrial decarbonisation, the digital economy and automotive standards.

The resumption of dialogue comes as UK exporters report strong results in China. Nearly £2 billion in export “wins” were supported by government in the past financial year, with notable deals in creative industries, retail and healthcare.

They are said to include the Premier League’s exclusive three-season agreement with China Mobile’s Migu platform, which will stream all 380 matches in mainland China from 2025–26 to 2027–28. In healthcare, Cultech Group struck a deal with China Resources to launch its ProVen probiotic range, while Hayman’s Distillery and skincare brand Eve Lom also expanded in the Chinese market with government support.

Cultural and educational links have also grown. Oxford University Press partnered with the National Library of China on a major exhibition, the Institute of Engineering and Technology advanced professional standards with local partners, and firms from Clan Healthcare to Acron Aviation, Silverstream Technologies, Pearson and Aedas secured new business through trade missions and collaborations.

Kyle, (main picture), said: “Serious and strategic engagement with the world’s foremost economic players is what will deliver for working people and businesses across the UK. Restarting trade talks with China is an essential tool to put money into people’s pockets as part of the government’s Plan for Change.

“British businesses will be an important part of my visit, helping open doors to greater commercial opportunities. More discussions and direct engagement with China will ensure trade between us can flourish, strengthen our national security, and create space to raise concerns constructively where needed.”

The Secretary of State is also expected to raise human rights and level-playing-field issues. Officials said this approach reflects a pragmatic strategy of “cooperating where we can and challenging where we must.”

Business leaders welcomed the renewed engagement. Jay Li, the Premier League’s managing director in China, said: “The Premier League and our clubs have an incredible fanbase in China and the opening of our office in Beijing last year marked an exciting next step as we continue to build and strengthen our relationships with fans and partners.

“We are proud to build on over 15 years of football development in China and delivering programmes and activities to support the elite and grassroots game. We are also excited about our new partnership with Migu, a China Mobile-owned streaming platform, making it the sole digital broadcaster of all 380 Premier League matches in mainland China until the end of the 2027–28 season.

As the world’s most watched football league, with a combined global audience of 1.9bn, broadcast into 189 countries the Premier League is a key driver of economic activity and growth for the UK. Our continued growth in China has a tangible and positive benefit for the UK economy.”

Sharon Hague, Pearson’s UK CEO and President of English Language Learning, added: “This is a pivotal moment for education and innovation. Rapid advances in technology and demographic shifts are transforming how we all prepare for the future. UK-China partnerships in trade and education are vital to addressing these challenges, and this visit presents exciting opportunities for Pearson to strengthen its collaboration with education and training institutions.”

China is forecast to account for 23 per cent of global economic growth between 2023 and 2050, according to the government’s Global Trade Outlook report. Officials said improved access could help UK firms tap into China’s expanding middle class, while easing restrictions on agri-food products such as cattle hides, sheep skins and porcine genetics would support diversification of the UK food and drink industry.

Neil Willis, Managing Director of Cranswick Fresh Pork, said: “The China market has always been the most important overseas export market for British pork. The long-term trade relationship with China provides an incredibly important contribution and supports the British pork industry.

“It is a partnership that we cherish, and I would like to extend my thanks for the ongoing support from Government to secure these deals and identify future growth opportunities. We will continue our commitment to the China market on a long-term basis, continuously investing and growing together.”

Kyle travelled to Beijing directly from Washington, where he had attended meetings earlier in the week.