23 October 2026 - CBBC Briefing with British Ambassador to China and HMTC for China
Join us for a Briefing with British Ambassador to China and HMTC for China
Date: Friday 23 October 2026
Time: 9:30-11:00 UK time, 16:30-18:00 China time
Format: Hybrid, Beijing and Online
CBBC cordially invite UK business representatives for an exclusive briefing with British Ambassador to China Peter Wilson CMG and His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner (HMTC) for China Kate Harrisson, offering CBBC members a timely update on the UK–China relationship and the outlook for bilateral trade and investment. The briefing will be held on Friday, 23 October, in person in Beijing, with an online option also available.
As Ambassador Peter Wilson reflects on his first year in post, the discussion will look back at key developments over the past 12 months and provide a forward view of the UK Government’s engagement with China. Both the Ambassador and HMTC will share perspectives on the evolving bilateral relationship, the UK’s trade and investment priorities, and what these developments mean for British and Chinese businesses operating across both markets.
Following opening reflections from Peter and Kate, CBBC will host a moderated discussion exploring key issues for the business community, before opening the floor to questions from members.
Key themes will include:
- The development of UK–China relations over the past 12 months
- The UK Government’s priorities and approach towards China
- The outlook for UK–China trade and investment
- Opportunities and considerations for businesses operating in both markets
- Reflections from Ambassador Wilson’s first year in China and priorities ahead
- The role of UK–China business engagement in supporting the bilateral relationship
This briefing will provide a valuable opportunity for senior business representatives to hear directly from UK Government representatives, gain insight into the current direction of UK–China relations, and engage in an open discussion on the implications and opportunities for business.
Agenda
16:30 (CST) Registration (offline)
16:45(CST)/9:45(BST) Welcome Remarks
- Peter Burnett, Chief Executive, CBBC
16:50/9:50 Update and Reflections
- Peter Wilson CMG, British Ambassador to China
- Kate Harrisson, His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner (HMTC) for China
17:10/10:10 Chaired Discussion
- Chaired by Tom Simpson, Managing Director, China, CBBC
17:40/10:40 Q&A
18:00/11:00 Event concludes
Venue
Offline: HSBC Qihao Center Sub-Branch, 20F, Qihao Center, No.8 Xin Yuan Nan Lu, Chaoyang District, Beijing
北京市朝阳区新源南路8号启皓中心20层，汇丰银行启皓中心支行
Online: Zoom
Please note that in-person attendance is exclusive to CBBC members and places are limited. Successful registrants will receive a separate email confirming their place.
Speakers
Peter Wilson CMG
Peter Wilson CMG took up the role of British Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China in August 2025.
Prior to this role, Peter was Director General for Europe at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office until August 2024. Before that, he was Principal Private Secretary to the Prime Minister from March to September 2022.
Peter was previously Her Majesty’s Ambassador to the Federative Republic of Brazil from February 2021 to March 2022. He was the UK Ambassador to the Kingdom of the Netherlands and Permanent Representative to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) from August 2017 to September 2020. Peter was the Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative of the UK Mission to the UN, New York from September 2013 to August 2017.
Before this, Peter was the Asia Pacific Director at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) in London where he covered North and South East Asia, and Australasia from November 2010, and also served as Director of Strategy for the FCO in 2010.
Peter’s roles have included service at the British Embassy in Beijing, China where he was Political Counsellor from 2007 to 2010 and Second Secretary, Commercial from 1995 to 1998. He has also been posted as Political Counsellor in Islamabad (2005 to 2006) and ran the European Parliament Team at the UK Representation to the European Union in Brussels from 1999 to 2002.
Peter was a member of the British Trade Commissioner Leon Brittan’s Cabinet in 1999. He was Head of the Strategic Policy Team for the FCO in London (2003 to 2005) and served as an Assistant Desk Officer, European Institutions at the FCO from 1992 to 1993.
Kate Harrisson
Kate Harrisson was appointed His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for China and Hong Kong in September 2026.
Kate joined the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in 2000 after working in the private sector in China. Her previous roles in the FCO include Deputy Head of Mission to Vietnam, Political Counselor in Beijing and Economic Consul in Hong Kong.
In London she has worked on the UK’s relations with India, policy planning and the UK’s work in the United Nations including on refugee policy and conflict prevention. Kate was also part of the cross-government team supporting Afghan reconstruction with a specific focus on counter narcotics. She served as British Ambassador to Peru from April 2018 to March 2022.
Kate holds a Masters in Social Anthropology and degrees in Modern Chinese Studies and Psychology. She and her partner Nick have three children. In her spare time she likes to travel.
HM Trade Commissioner for China
The HM Trade Commissioner (HMTC) leads on export promotion, inward and outward investment, and trade policy overseas on behalf of the UK government.
Work includes developing and delivering a regional trade plan setting out Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade’s (BIST) priorities in important global markets.