As the first Chinese student elected President of King’s College London Students’ Union, Baiyu Liu advocates for greater integration of Chinese students in UK universities. Here, he writes exclusively for FOCUS on how universities can better foster two-way cultural exchange
Expanding your business into China opens the door to one of the world’s most dynamic and opportunity-rich markets. However, hiring and building a team in this vast and complex environment demands a deep understanding of local customs, laws and regional nuances. Drawing on the combined insights of experts from the China-Britain Business Council (CBBC) and Yingke London, this guide explores the key considerations for hiring in China, from choosing the …
China’s technology and electronics industry is a dynamo of innovation, manufacturing, and digital transformation that shapes markets and economies worldwide For British businesses eyeing opportunities in this vibrant sector, understanding its scale, key players, and strategic undercurrents is not just useful, it’s essential. From the sprawling factories of Shenzhen to the R&D labs of Beijing, this industry is a complex tapestry of ambition, policy, and relentless growth. Here, we unpack …
- Technology
China’s autonomous driving crackdown: What it means for the global self-driving car market
Following a deadly crash, China’s autonomous driving crackdown, characterised by strict new rules, signals a shift in the world’s largest automotive market On 1 April 2025, a tragic accident involving Xiaomi’s SU7 sedan, operating in semi-autonomous mode, claimed three lives in Tongling, Anhui province, when the vehicle crashed into a concrete barrier and caught fire. The incident, which occurred seconds after the driver took manual control from the advanced driver …
From its Guangzhou origins to a bold UK launch, XPeng has global ambitions to steer the future of smart mobility In Guangzhou in 2014, a company emerged with a vision to redefine the driving experience. XPeng Motors, or Xiaopeng to its Chinese audience, set out not just to craft electric vehicles, but to embed artificial intelligence at their core, creating cars that anticipate and adapt to their drivers. Founded by …
- Manufacturing
China’s rare earths retaliation: A strategic move with global implications amid Trump’s trade war
China’s rare earths export controls on seven critical elements have jolted global supply chains, marking a bold escalation in its trade standoff with President Trump and the United States Announced on 4 April 2025, China’s move to restrict rare earths came as a direct counter to US President Donald Trump’s latest tariffs, unveiled just days earlier, which slapped a 50% levy on Chinese imports. Beijing’s response targets samarium, gadolinium, terbium, …
As China enters a new era of economic moderation, the rules of brand marketing in the world’s second-largest consumer market are rapidly evolving. Totem’s 2025 China Marketing and Media Trends report, published in December 2024 in partnership with Campaign Asia, provides a timely and nuanced view of these shifts. Based on a survey of 95 marketing leaders, the report captures the current mood and the strategic recalibrations underway. This article …
From cotton mills to cutting-edge tech, the North West of England remains a cornerstone of the UK economy – now turbocharged by growing Chinese investment and innovation The North West of England has always been a land of reinvention. Once the beating heart of the Industrial Revolution, its cotton mills and shipyards powered Britain to global dominance. Today, this resilient region has evolved into a modern economic juggernaut, with a …
With Donald Trump and Elon Musk targeting USAID and the UK pledging just 0.3% of GNI for aid, China stands at a crossroads. This article examines the shifting dynamics of aid, power, and relations among the three nations The United States’ decision to shutter the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and the United Kingdom’s commitment to reduce foreign aid to 0.3% of gross national income (GNI) represent a significant …
Global health innovation and how the UK and China can work together to “prevent, optimise and thrive” was the focus of a panel at the UK-China Business Forum 2025 that explored the shift in healthcare from a focus on curing illness to preventative care and health optimisation As the NHS embraces social prescribing and China advances the “Healthy China 2030” strategy, the panel examined innovations in preventative care, digital health, …