In September 2025, with the support of the Investment Promotion Agency of the Ministry of Commerce of China (CIPA) and the UK Department for Business and Trade (DBT), the UK Global Technological Innovation Partnership Alliance (GlobalTechIP | GTIP) successfully organized a delegation of over 30 UK enterprises specializing in life sciences and green technology. The delegation visited key cities including Xiamen, Wuxi, Tongling, Hefei, and Nanjing. They participated deeply in the 25th China International Fair for Investment & Trade (CIFIT), engaged in numerous high-level industry matchmaking activities, and conducted in-depth park inspections, effectively expanding Sino-UK collaborative development in critical frontier fields.
I. Debut at CIFIT: Guest of Honor Country Charts a New Course
In September 2025, the UK life sciences and green technology enterprise delegation was invited to Xiamen to participate in the 25th CIFIT. This year, the UK and Jiangsu Province appeared at CIFIT as the Guest of Honor Country and Guest of Honor Province respectively, highlighting the close cooperation between China and the UK in sustainable investment and innovation. At the opening ceremony, the UK Ambassador to China, Dame Caroline Wilson, read a congratulatory letter from the British Prime Minister, emphasizing the importance of deepening UK-China cooperation in promoting green development and innovative investment.
On September 7th, the delegation attended the “China (Jiangsu)-UK Two-Way Investment Cooperation Exchange Meeting.” Jiangsu Province Governor Xu Kunlin stated in his speech that Jiangsu highly values cooperation with the UK in green technology, biomedicine, digital economy, and other fields, and looks forward to jointly building a high ground for cooperation in new quality productive forces. During the meeting, UK enterprises conducted in-depth exchanges with Jiangsu’s parks and enterprises, laying the foundation for subsequent regional cooperation.
On September 8th, the delegation visited Xiamen C&D, a leading Chinese supply chain operation service provider, to gain an in-depth understanding of its global business layout and industrial synergy capabilities. Subsequently, members participated in the “Invest in China—Choose Economic Development Zones” national-level economic development zone investment promotion and matchmaking event, engaging in face-to-face exchanges with representatives from multiple national-level economic development zones to systematically grasp regional industrial policies, resource carriers, and investment opportunities.
On September 9th, focusing on the theme of green and low-carbon development, the delegation participated in the “Digital Green Energy·Chengdu-Europe Dialogue—European Enterprises and Chengdu Economic Development Zone Investment Matchmaking Meeting.” Discussions centered on the integration of digital technology and energy transition, as well as pathways for China-Europe green industry cooperation, establishing a foundation for UK enterprises to expand into the western Chinese market.
II. Dual-Line Precision Tours: Delving into Industrial Heartlands
On September 10th, the delegation split into two groups for precise matchmaking with local city industries in Wuxi and Tongling. The life sciences group visited Wuxi, touring the China-Europe (Wuxi) Life Science and Technology Innovation Industrial Park. They held discussions with local government, park, and enterprise representatives, exploring pathways for establishing joint laboratories, clinical cooperation, and results transformation in fields such as drug R&D, medical devices, and cell therapy.
The green technology group went to Tongling, conducting in-depth inspections of local new energy, energy-saving, and environmental protection enterprises. Focusing on areas like photovoltaic energy storage, green materials, and low-carbon technology, they discussed possibilities for technology introduction and production capacity cooperation, aiming to assist Tongling’s green industry upgrade and internationalization efforts.
III. Pooling Elite Forces: Jointly Mapping an Innovation Blueprint
On September 11th, the two groups converged in Hefei to participate in the thematic activity “European Life Sciences and Green Technology Industrial Delegation Inspects Hefei Economic Development Zone.” The delegation visited key enterprises and R&D platforms within the Hefei Economic Development Zone to understand the local industrial cluster advantages in fields like new energy and biomedicine. Multiple consensuses were reached on jointly building China-Europe technology cooperation platforms and promoting the landing of innovative projects.
IV. Concluding in Nanjing: Deepening Regional Cooperation
On September 12th, the delegation reached the climax of its China visit in Nanjing. That afternoon, GTIP successfully facilitated two heavyweight events held in parallel, achieving precise and in-depth matchmaking in both the life sciences and green technology sectors.
In Life Sciences: The “UK Enterprises Nanjing Visit” exchange forum was successfully held at the Nanjing Shangri-La Hotel. The event brought together leaders from the Nanjing Municipal Bureau of Commerce and key districts including Jiangbei New Area, Jiangning High-tech Zone, and Qixia High-tech Zone, as well as over 50 representatives from key Chinese and UK enterprises. During the event, UK overseas representatives such as LightOx and ImmunoKey showcased breakthrough progress in cutting-edge areas like photoactivated therapies and multi-target CAR-T platforms. Nanjing-based enterprises shared their capabilities in cell therapy and drug R&D. Through efficient roadshows and matchmaking, both sides reached multiple cooperative intentions regarding joint R&D and clinical trial implementation.
In Green Technology: Concurrently, the “2025 China-UK (Nanjing) Green Technology Innovation Industrial Project Exchange Meeting” was successfully held in the Pukou High-tech Zone. The UK delegation presented roadshows on leading technologies such as bio-based materials, intelligent dust removal, and net-zero carbon emissions. They engaged in precise matchmaking with over 30 local leading enterprises, universities, and investment institutions, making positive progress in joint technology development and market integration.
That evening, the delegation boarded a Qinhuai painted pleasure boat for a night cruise along the Ten-Mile Qinhuai River. Gliding on the river with the blend of lights on both banks and ancient charm, delegation members appreciated Nanjing’s profound historical culture in a relaxed atmosphere. Amid laughter and conversation, the fatigue from the intense itinerary was alleviated, drawing this high-intensity China tour to a close filled with cultural warmth and beautiful memories.
This UK delegation’s China visit featured a compact and pragmatic schedule, fully demonstrating GTIP’s professional capability in integrating international innovation resources and promoting efficient industrial matchmaking. Moving forward, leveraging its global network and localized service advantages, GTIP will continue to guide and support more high-quality overseas technology enterprises and innovative projects in entering the Chinese market, while also assisting domestic enterprises in expanding their international business. GTIP is committed to building a stable, efficient, and productive global cooperation ecosystem, providing long-term, sustainable strategic support and momentum for frontier technologies and industrial development.
