London, 19 September 2023
A delegation from the Chinese southern city of Guangzhou, led by the Deputy Secretary of Guangzhou Municipal Committee, Chen Xiangbin, and representatives from the Guangzhou Association for Science and Technology (GAST), visited London in mid-September to promote the upcoming 2023 China Innovation and Entrepreneurship Fair (CIEF) to be held on 17-19 November.
During the London-Guangzhou Innovation Exchange Forum held at the Central Hall Westminster in the central government area close to the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey, Secretary Chen highlighted Guangzhou’s leading position in the Greater Bay Area, home to nine major cities, including Hong Kong and Shenzhen, as well as the region’s rapid transformation from “the factory of the world” to Asia’s leading innovation hub. Mr Chen and his delegation of four presented emerging opportunities and preferential policies in Guangzhou for London’s academic and business communities. GAST’s Secretary, Xu Liu, presented CIEF past achievements that included release of over 32,000 projects from 40 countries since the fair’s inception in 2015.
The Innovation Exchange Forum featured the signing of a strategic MoU between the 2023 China Innovation and Entrepreneurship Fair (CIEF) and GlobalTech IP (GTIP), the forum organisers, for the purpose of promoting UK attendance at this year’s CIEF and accelerating innovation and commercial exchange. This was followed by remarks from representatives of London business, academic and think-tank communities, including professor Birgitte Anderson, CEO of London’s Big Innovation Centre (BIC), Mr Victor Kovalets, Director of OKE Club, Dr Nicolas Huber of King’s College London, and Vladimir Korotkov, CEO of Suoni, a London-based tech start-up.
Professor Andersen emphasised how the London and Guangzhou innovation ecosystems complement one another and hold immense opportunities for large and small UK enterprises alike to create synergies and unlock new business growth. Big Innovation Centre, which organises the All-Party Parliamentary Groups on artificial intelligence and blockchain, connects thought leaders to address common global challenges. “China is an indispensable voice in these global conversations,” Andersen noted, “and Guangzhou and London need to work closer together to advance practical solutions.”
Mr Kovalets focused on the importance of fostering strong people-to-people links, that OKE Club facilitates through its activities in the UK. “We create an open environment for exchange between China and London, which is really important for breaking down barriers and building trust.” OKE Club co-founder, Josie Yang also stressed: “London and Guangzhou are really amazing global cities and young people should really get to know each other and dream big together.”
Dr Huber presented the London Institute for Healthcare Engineering (LIHE), a joint initiative between King’s College and Guy’s and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust to create an ecosystem to foster medical entrepreneurship by closely working with hospitals and industry. He emphasised mutual challenges facing both the UK and China and stressed the importance for continuing collaboration in the fields of life science education and healthcare.
Kristina Rayko said that the delegation’s visit exemplified Guangzhou’s resolute commitment to deepening collaboration with the UK despite geopolitical tensions, and that the exchange of ideas and expertise created mutual understanding and underscords the two sides’ shared interests. The head of GlobalTech IP UK, who just returned from leading a business delegation to China, said: “You just have to see for yourself – Guangzhou has changed so much since my last visit three years ago, and you can see opportunity around every corner – there’s so much that UK businesses can accomplish there.”
Chen Xiangxin, Deputy Secretary of the Guangzhou Municipal Party Committee, expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome the delegation received in London and highlighted the long historical links between the two cities: “We sincerely hope that this Guangzhou Municipal Delegation visit to London can help advance the positive momentum for partnership between our two vibrant cities and pave the way for a brighter and more connected future.”
The 2023 China Innovation and Entrepreneurship Fair (CIEF) is a national-level science and technology exhibition that will be held November 17-19 at the Canton Fair Exhibition Hall, the world's largest exhibition complex. Since its launch in 2015, the fair has promoted thousands of innovative technology projects from around the world, and helped link those projects to partners and funding sources, generating over GBP 6.7 billion in deal volume. Globaltech IP is organising a delegation to visit the 2023 CIEF and will help to facilitate matchmaking and roadshow events for delegates. For further information please visit https://fair.chinaief.net/ or contact Globaltech IP at CIEF@globaltechip.com.
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