At 8:00 am on September 3, Ambassador Liu Xiaoming attended the Market Open Ceremony at London Stock Exchange in honor of the World Chinese Entrepreneurs Convention （WCEC）coming to London. Together with Nikhil Rathi, CEO of London Stock Exchange, Zhang Jinlong, Chairman of UK Chinese Business Association, and Sir John Peace, Chairman of WCEC Advisory Committee, Ambassador Liu turned the opening key, lit up the trading screen and announced the official launch of the 15th WCEC. Later on, Ambassador Liu attended the promotion event for the Convention and delivered a speech entitled Come together to Build Three Platforms. More than 180 representatives of the Chinese entrepreneurs and organizations in the UK and British companies were present at the event.

Ambassador Liu said in his speech that WCEC is the largest, most representative and most influential event of the Chinese business community. The 15th WCEC, the first to be held in the UK and in Europe, will bring together more than 4,000 political and business leaders from both China and other countries. It will set a record in the number of entrepreneurs and companies that it brings together. The Convention also provides three platforms. First, it is a platform to learn more about Chinese entrepreneurs. The number of overseas Chinese almost equals to the population of the UK. Among them, the entrepreneurs have a total asset of close to $2 trillion. That’s about two thirds of Britain’s GDP. This year, more than 4,000 people will attend the 15th WCEC. It will be an invaluable opportunity for the British public, especially the business community, to learn more about Chinese entrepreneurs. Second, it is a platform to enhance global business connection. Chinese entrepreneurs have invested in 80% of the countries and regions in the world. Taking part in WCEC opens the door to connections with the best Chinese entrepreneurs in all sectors from all over the world. This is a convention for cooperation, development and friendship. Third, it is a platform to share in the benefit of China’s development. China’s development has created huge opportunities. Chinese entrepreneurs, who speak the Chinese language, understand China’s policies and know the Chinese market, are the best partners the British businesses can find to seize the opportunities and leverage China’s advanced manufacturing industry, its market and its capital.

In closing, the Ambassador said, “This year marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. It is also the 65th anniversary of the establishment of China-UK diplomatic relationship at the level of chargé d’affaires. In this important year, and as Britain is about to leave the EU, the convocation of the 15th WCEC here in London is of great significance. I am sure it will boost confidence in China-UK cooperation and China-Europe cooperation. I look forward to more good news from the Convention.”

Sir John Peace, Chairman of WCEC Advisory Committee and Chair of the Midlands Engine, and Michael Hayman, Co-founder of StartUp Britain briefed the participants on the theme, structure, objective and preparations of the 15th WCEC.

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The 15th WCEC will be held in London from October 21 to 24. More than 4,000 representatives from the political, business and academic circles of over 80 countries and regions around the world will be present.

（Source: Organising Committee of the 15th WCEC）