British Ambassador to China Peter Wilson Visits the ICC

Zhou Hong (Left) and Peter Wilson (Right)

On 13 July 2026, Peter Wilson, British Ambassador to China, paid a visit to the International Cooperation Center (ICC). Zhou Hong, Chairperson of the Academic Committee of the ICC, Member of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) and Honorary President of the China-Europe Society, met with Ambassador Wilson and his entourage. Both sides noted that the world is witnessing intertwined changes and turmoil, entering a new period of turbulence and transformation. As permanent members of the UN Security Council and major global economies, China and the UK bear the important mission of advancing their respective national development as well as shared responsibilities in tackling global challenges. Amid the current volatile and fragile international landscape, the two sides need to step up dialogue and cooperation in the spirit of mutual respect and mutual trust, and foster a long-term stable comprehensive strategic partnership. The two sides had in-depth exchanges on deepening high-level exchanges between China and the UK, enhancing strategic communication, establishing a Track 1.5 dialogue and consultation mechanism, furthermore, strengthening communication and coordination under multilateral frameworks including the UN Security Council and the G20.

Talks between the two sides

The two sides stated that China and the UK share extensive common interests and shoulder important responsibilities for addressing global challenges and safeguarding world peace and development. Guided by a broad historical perspective, both sides should rise above differences, respect each other, and translate the promising potential of China-UK cooperation into tangible outcomes to break new ground for bilateral relations and cooperation. Despite differences in history, culture, values and social systems, the two countries share wide-ranging common interests. Both sides should view each other’s development in a rational and objective manner, boost strategic communication, political mutual trust, ensure steady and sound growth of China-UK relations. Both China and the UK stand for multilateralism and free trade. The two countries should jointly advocate and practice genuine multilateralism, advance the development of a fairer global governance system, and achieve an equal multi-polar world as well as beneficial globalization. The ICC will maintain strategic communication with senior British officials and the British Embassy in China, deepen bilateral cooperation on global challenges including green transition, artificial intelligence governance and climate change response, ultimately contribute to boosting global economic growth and delivering common development.

The two sides also exchanged views on other matters. Prime Minister Keir Starmer paid a successful visit to China earlier this year, which received positive feedback from all sectors of both countries and international public opinion. In March this year, Lord Michael Grade, Chairman of Ofcom and Member of the House of Lords, visited the ICC with his delegation. The two sides agreed to fully implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, innovate bilateral exchange mechanisms, effectively manage differences and risks, actively deepen strategic mutual trust and practical cooperation, furthermore promote steady progress in China-UK relations. Cheng Yu, Executive Secretary-General of the ICC, and officials from the ICC’s Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and Overseas Chinese Working Affairs Committee and European Studies Office attended the meeting. Haiden Cocking, Second Secretary of the British Embassy in China, was also present.