For all the tea in China, and more

One of the enduring symbols of the relationship between the United Kingdom and China's Fujian province dates back to the 17th century when tea became Britain's national beverage of choice. The port of Fuzhou (then called Foochow in English) was the center of the global trade in tea. It emerged as a key supplier of high-quality varieties like oolong and lapsang souchong.

In the mid-1800s, different types of tea were transported to Britain on clipper ships, so named because they were designed for speed. The tea merchants competed with each other to see who could get their products the fastest to the British breakfast table.

The story of the legendary Cutty Sark highlights those times in history. Built in Scotland in 1869, the ship set a record-breaking journey from Fuzhou to the English Channel in just 72 days, despite fierce monsoons and pirate threats.

Today the Cutty Sark is a museum piece and sits as a popular visitor attraction in the Royal Museums Greenwich, London. It serves as a reminder of this shared heritage, highlighting how Fujian's tea helped shape the modern British identity.

In a year when trade instability and geopolitical drama have grabbed headlines, it is important to be reminded of the benefits of global commerce. Tea grown in China and drunk in Britain since the 17th century led to prosperity for planters in China, innovation in ship design, and a change in the beverage culture of the British people which lasts to this day.

The successful exchange of goods and ideas has always required a platform for dialogue and meetings. The China International Fair for Investment and Trade, held each year in Xiamen, Fujian, provides this platform and the opportunity to convert the legacy of the tea trade into the benefits of modern economic activity for all trading nations.

This year, the UK is participating as the "guest country of honor" at the 25th CIFIT from Monday to Thursday. The CIFIT has welcomed delegations from more than 110 countries and regions to China's flagship international trade and investment event. The China-Britain Business Council is proud to be supporting this year's event under the theme, "Join Hands with China, Invest in the Future".

Today, the growth industries in trade and services of the UK and China are especially aligned. They represent clear opportunities for two-way investment. Clean energy, life sciences, luxury branded goods, fintech, consulting, financial and other services and some technologies are apt examples.

Part of the UK Pavilion at CIFIT is dedicated to explaining the "UK's Modern Industrial Strategy" — the British government's new national growth strategy published in June — and how international investment partners can get involved.

The investment fair this year revolves around three core pillars: invest in China, Chinese investment, and international investment. The UK and China already have a strong relationship in these three fields. The UK was the third-largest source of investment in China from Europe and the second-largest direct investment destination for China in Europe.

Also, the UK's leading financial and professional services companies have supported many of their Chinese counterparts in their mission of "going global". And the CBBC is excited at the thought of attracting more Chinese investment into the UK as Chinese companies expand operations abroad. That's why the CBBC has proudly organized a "UK Investment Conference" at the CIFIT, in order to explore how to increase Chinese investment in the UK.

Chinese companies already provide about 60,000 jobs in the UK, and we hope to see this increase. The CBBC is excited at the prospect of more UK investment in China, particularly in those areas of expertise in which the UK has leading brands and high technical capability. In this spirit and alongside our UK Investment Conference, we are also hosting the "Invest in China Conference".

British companies have created a large number of jobs in the UK as a direct result of their businesses in China. This year may see China transition from, primarily, a manufacturing powerhouse of affordable goods to a leading global producer of high-end, technologically advanced finished products. The so-called "DeepSeek moment" has also awoken many non-China observers to the new reality that China offers a differentiated business opportunity.

The UK, with its forward-looking industrial strategy, has much to add to this economic development in China as many British companies look to deepen and broaden their engagement with China.

The UK's CIFIT delegation comprises more than 100 British companies, from giant enterprises to many small and medium-sized companies.

At the CBBC, we look forward to more commercial opportunities, economic prosperity and people-to-people exchanges between the two nations. At the same time, we look back to the spirit of enterprise and innovation embodied in the story of Cutty Sark all those years ago.

The author is chief executive officer of China-Britain Business Council.

The views don't necessarily represent those of China Daily.

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