2021

As the Covid 19 pandemic continued in 2021 with lockdowns, ECBF continued with the following webinars.

Year of the Ox: Threats and Opportunities between China and the UK

Tuesday 16th February 2021

To help us look ahead at how trade and investment relationships may develop with China in 2021 we had a panel of 3 speakers:

• ​Liam Byrne, Member of Parliament and candidate for Mayor for the West Midlands.

• Jinny Yan, Chief China Economist at ICBC Standard Bank leads the China markets strategy and research team.

• Dr Yeow Poon, President of England China Business Forum, is also Chair of the Chinese Community Centre – Birmingham and Chair of Chinese Liberal Democrats.

As well as the speaker panel, the event included breakout rooms for networking and discussions, Q&A, video clips of cultural activities and a fun quiz.

Health and Social Care Collaboration between China and the UK

Thursday 17th June 2021

By 2050, the United Nations predict that 1 in 6 people in the world will be over the age 65, up from 1 in 11 in 2019. China’s older adult population is expected to reach 35% of its population and 25% in the UK by 2050. Population aging has profound effects on not just long term care but also the support needed to enable well-being, mobility and independence.

As there is a significant contrast between the two countries' caring systems, what are the opportunities for collaboration that can help bridge the gaps from both social and commercial points of view. The panel of experts included:

• Dr Martin Partridge, senior lecturer and course lead in social care and health at the University of Wolverhampton, has worked with Chinese communities in the UK on health and social care issues. He is also working on a collaborative project regarding dementia in China.

• Luke Zhou, the CEO of Beyond Laboratory, is an expert on life sciences and an entrepreneur with extensive networks in China and the UK. He has facilitated merger and acquisition deals between British and Chinese companies.

• Katy Rabindran, a tax Director at BDO LLP, advises companies on how to take advantage of the tax reliefs available to support research and development, patented products and processes.

The discussion covered the investment activities that have flourished in recent years, and the potential benefits and incentives that are available in the UK in assisting and enhancing further development. Martin shared insights into the differences in social and health care systems between the UK and China, the gaps in provision in China and what the UK can offer. This was followed by Luke giving examples of collaboration opportunities at commercial level and between community organisations and patient groups in the UK and China. The final speaker Katy gave case studies on how tax relief in the UK can be leveraged to support cross-border investments in health and social care development.

Sustainability with Purpose across the UK, China and Africa

​Thursday 16th September 2021

From 1-12 November, representatives from over 200 countries descended on Glasgow to attend COP26 and discussed how we can protect our global environment, deliver on climate change targets, and safeguard our economies and livelihoods. The UK and China business communities can play a part in the green transition ensuring sustainable development, as we slowly decouple economic growth from harmful emissions.

The webinar was hosted by Browne Jacobson with a stellar panel of speakers to inspire individuals and companies into incorporating ESG (Environment, Social and Governance) best practice into business and investments.​

• Sir Tim Smit, founder of the Eden Project discussed the “Eden effect” that brought investment into Cornwall, his current projects in China, and how collaborations around the world can inspire the next generation to tackle the challenges of climate change.

• Prince Ezebuchi, co-founder of the Lagos China Business Initiative spoke about sustainable development in Africa, agri-tech and the myriad opportunities for investment in Africa.

• ​​Dr. Li Yao, founder of Q Energy shared how innovation is a key driver towards a net zero carbon future and share projects and ideas on opportunities for business collaborations between the UK, China and Africa.

• ​Prof Xiao Lan Fu, Oxford University and consultant to UN, World Bank and other multi-lateral institutions focused how technology has helped in International Development, and how governments and private sector in the UK, China and Africa can work together to create and seize the ‘green windows of opportunity’.