Join us for an insight on the business opportunities in China
China is becoming an increasingly important growth market for North East businesses, with exports to China, including Hong Kong, reaching £936 million in 2025 — an impressive 38.6% year-on-year increase and the fastest growth of any UK region. Pharmaceutical exports surged by 315%, while power-generating machinery exports reached £214 million, highlighting the significant opportunities available across key sectors. As the North East’s highest-growth non-European market after the US, China offers exciting potential for businesses looking to expand internationally. Join our online event to explore the opportunities, understand the market landscape and discover how your business could benefit from trading with China.
Agenda:
Overview of Shanghai
Opportunities to trade with Shanghai, both services and products
The trading relationship between UK & Shanghai
The sectors which are strong in Shanghai
Top tips with trading with Shanghai
China International Import Expo 2027


Xiang Li has been working with GCC on China related projects for approximately seven years. Prior to her involvement with GCC, she worked at three UK universities and was twice awarded the Prime Minister’s Initiative 2 (PMI2) for International Education, focusing on Sino-UK collaboration. She was also invited by the British Council to join the evaluation panel for the programme.
Xiang has been invited to serve as a visiting scholar and board member by universities and professional associations in China and France.
She has supported GCC in organising trade missions to China and has participated continuously in the China International Import Expo (CIIE) since 2022. Through these activities, she has facilitated collaboration across a range of sectors, including consumer goods, education, culture, and sports.
She facilitated Glasgow’s invitation by the Shanghai Municipal Government to participate as an overseas guest city at the China (Shanghai) International Technology Fair (CSITF) in 2025 and 2026.
Xiang has continued to promote a number of collaborative projects, including supporting Chinese smart healthcare companies in entering the Scottish market and helping Scottish technology start-ups explore opportunities in China, including Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Xian.
Join the North East Chamber of Commerce this September and October for a three-part conference mini-series exploring how the ambitions of Unlocking the North East Economy are being translated into action.