{"id":16301,"date":"2025-06-23T12:41:10","date_gmt":"2025-06-23T12:41:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/focus.cbbc.org\/?p=16301"},"modified":"2025-07-01T16:05:05","modified_gmt":"2025-07-01T16:05:05","slug":"cbbcs-trade-tracker-shows-strong-resurgence-in-uk-china-trade","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/focus.cbbc.org\/cbbcs-trade-tracker-shows-strong-resurgence-in-uk-china-trade\/","title":{"rendered":"CBBC’s Trade Tracker shows steady growth in UK-China trade"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The China-Britain Business Council\u2019s latest Trade Tracker reveals steady growth in UK-China trade, with goods exports rising to \u00a321.1 billion in 2024, showcasing the enduring strength of British businesses across regions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In its eleventh edition, the CBBC Trade Tracker<\/a>, released in June 2025, paints an optimistic picture of UK-China trade relations, underscoring the resilience and dynamic nature of this vital economic partnership. In 2024, a year marked by global economic turbulence and shifting geopolitical currents, UK goods exports to China rose by 1% to \u00a321.1 billion, reversing a 1.6% decline from 2023. This modest but significant growth signals a renewed momentum in bilateral trade, driven by diverse regional contributions from across the UK\u2019s regions and a deepening of commercial ties with the world\u2019s second-largest economy. With China, including Hong Kong, standing as the UK\u2019s third-largest trading partner and fifth-largest export market, the report highlights the critical role this relationship plays in bolstering British prosperity.<\/p>\n\n\n

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The CBBC\u2019s report, drawing on HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) data, offers a granular view of how UK regions and devolved administrations have navigated the complexities of the Chinese market in 2024. Among the standout performers, the East Midlands<\/a>, which solidified its position as the UK\u2019s largest exporter to China with \u00a33.5 billion in goods, a 2.8% increase from the previous year. The region\u2019s dominance is largely attributed to its robust trade in power-generating machinery and equipment, which rose by 1.3% to \u00a32.6 billion, accounting for the lion\u2019s share of its exports. Notably, the East Midlands remains the only UK region to run a trade surplus with China, with exports to Hong Kong comprising an impressive 84% of its total trade with the country. This underscores the region\u2019s strategic importance as a hub for high-value manufacturing and its ability to capitalise on demand in both Mainland China and Hong Kong.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The East Midlands remains the only UK region to run a trade surplus with China<\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Hot on the heels of the East Midlands, the West Midlands emerged as the UK\u2019s second-largest exporter to China, with goods exports edging up by 0.5% to \u00a33.21 billion. The region\u2019s trade is anchored by road vehicles, including premium cars and automotive<\/a> components, which, despite a marginal 1.6% dip to \u00a32.15 billion, remain the cornerstone of its exports. A notable bright spot was the 36.8% surge in power generating equipment exports to \u00a3287 million, reflecting growing Chinese demand for advanced energy technologies. The West Midlands\u2019 contribution to UK-China trade accounted for 1.65% of its regional GDP, the second-highest share among UK regions, highlighting its pivotal role in sustaining national economic growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n