Chairman of Ofcom of the UK Lord Michael Grade Visits the ICC

Ma Shengrong (Right)  Lord Michael Grade (Left)

On 28 March 2026, Lord Michael Grade, Chairman of the Office of Communications (Ofcom) of the United Kingdom and a member of the House of Lords, visited the Jianguomen Office of the International Cooperation Center (ICC). He was received by Ma Shengrong, Chief Expert of the ICC and former Deputy President and Executive Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Xinhua News Agency, and Zhang Yu, Convener of the Joint Meeting and Director of the Steering Committee of the ICC. Both sides agreed on the need to keep pace with the evolving international landscape and broader trends of global development, and to view and manage bilateral relations from a strategic, long-term perspective. As permanent members of the United Nations Security Council and major global economies, China and the United Kingdom share important responsibilities for world peace and development. The two parties engaged in productive discussions and reached important consensus on deepening high-level exchanges and enhancing strategic communication between China and the UK, establishing a long-term Track 1.5 dialogue and consultation mechanism, and strengthening coordination within multilateral frameworks such as the United Nations, the G20, and the World Trade Organization (WTO).

The meeting for discussion

Both sides noted that the world today is marked by growing turbulence and change, coupled with sluggish global economic growth. Whether in safeguarding world peace and stability or advancing bilateral trade and economic ties, China and the UK need to strengthen dialogue and cooperation. The two sides should implement the consensus reached by their leaders, promote exchanges at all levels across bilateral relations, deepen cooperation in various fields, effectively manage differences, and foster the steady development of China-UK relations. Visionary individuals from both countries should adopt a broad historical perspective, translate the potential of China-UK cooperation into tangible outcomes, open new ground for bilateral relations and collaboration, deliver benefits to the two peoples, and contribute to global well-being. The two sides also exchanged views on advancing China-UK relations, strengthening strategic coordination, and international and regional affairs of mutual concern. The meeting was also attended by Mu Dong, Special Envoy and Special Representative for Asia-Pacific Affairs of the ICC; Wang Tianyi, Member of the International Academy of Astronautics; and Lee Cole, Founding Partner of the McFadden Group of the United Kingdom.