Country Focus: China

Overview

China covers an area of about 9,572,900 sq km – an area as large as the entire European continent – and is the world’s fourth largest economy. It accounts for 7% of global trade and it is the world’s third largest exporter.

China's 1.3 billion people make up approximately one fifth of the world's population.

Key sectors

Some of the key sectors currently experiencing growth in China include:

• Airports
• Automotive
• Biotechnology & pharmaceuticals
• Construction, infrastructure, engineering and consulting
• Energy
• Environment
• Financial & legal services
• Healthcare & medical
• ICT
• Leisure & tourism
• Ports & marine
• Railways
• Water

The UK’s main exports to China are electrical/mechanical equipment, precision instruments (medical, optical, photo, technical), plastics, iron & steel, chemicals and pharmaceuticals.

Reasons to do business with China

Although the size and unfamiliar business culture in China may deter some UK companies from the market, there are huge trade and investment opportunities for those willing to overcome the challenges. 

China has experienced rapid economic growth which has resulted in many opportunities in virtually every sector. The past few years have seen an increasing number of companies of all sizes successfully exporting to, and investing in, the country.

How we can help

Understandably trading with China can seem extremely daunting to those businesses new to the market.

UK Trade & Investment helps companies do business with China through a network of International Trade Teams and through dedicated Trade and Investment Teams based in the British Embassy and Consulates-General in China. UK Trade & Investment also maintains close links with the China-Britain Business Council (CBBC) and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (TDC).

This section of the website aims to give an overview of doing business in China and point you in the right direction for whatever concerns or questions you may have, whether you are just considering trading with China, or whether you have already begun.

• China reports and publications
  These reports and publications contain information on many aspects of doing business with China. If you are still in the research and planning stage, you may want to start by looking at the general reports, which explain the geography and politics of China. For those people ready to begin trading, the China Business Guides provide essential information for new entrants to the market.
• Support organisations
  Here you will find details of all the support organisations and service providers in the Yorkshire & Humber region who can help your business export successfully, from interpreters and translators to providers of legal services.
• Zhejiang News
  Find out what’s happening in Zhejiang Province – Yorkshire and Humber’s ‘twin’ region in China.
• China events
  Take a look at the Events section of the Trade Yorkshire website to find out what events are taking place to help your business trade successfully with China.
• TradeYorkshire features
  Features previously published on this site relating to China.
• Guanxi - Have you got it?
  If you are already trading with China, it is quite likely that you will have already come across the term guanxi – but do you know how to get it?
• Intellectual Property Law for companies trading with China
  An intensive course has been developed for companies which conduct business in China.
• High Growth Markets Programme
  China has been identified by UK Trade & Investment as a high growth market and as such has been included in its High Growth Markets Programme.
• Information for importers
  Useful guidance and documents for importers from China

If you can’t find what you are looking for, please contact us.