Britain, China should be natural partners for Belt and Road cooperation

Britain and China should be natural partners in taking forward the Belt and Road Initiative, Chief Executive of China-Britain Business Council Matthew Rous has told Xinhua in a recent conference on Belt and Road development held in Scotland.

He said he agreed with what British Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond mentioned during the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation held in Beijing in May this year that "Britain, lying at the western end of the Belt and Road, is a natural partner in this endeavour".

"Because we have very complimentary skills and offerings when it commence to establishing new infrastructure between Europe and Asia," he explained.

As a former diplomat, Matthew Rous has long experience in Asia. He was appointed as HM Consul-General Guangzhou from 2014 to 2017. His first posting in China was in the Embassy in Beijing in 1994-1997.

He said China is very strong in the construction sector. "The physical infrastructure development within China over the last ten or twenty years has been incredibly impressive."

He also noted China has huge capital as well, which is now looking for new homes overseas. More and more Chinese capital invested into international market in recent years.

"What dose the UK offer?" He answered himself. "We has strength in finance services, so finding good homes for capital. We also has strength in many sectors such as legal service, co-op governance, procurement, engineering, design and project management. If you put the two parts together, it is a good marriage."

He also mentioned the English language and the common law are important things as well. "I believe that UK and China's business working together can be a very powerful combination."

Regarding to the development opportunity in the Belt and Road, He said "we want to see a model of development which supports the environment and local communities along the Belt and Road. I think with our strong international experience in many of these countries we can help to do that. So it's partly about business and commercial opportunity but a big part of it is about working in partnership with China to make the world a better place."

The China-Britain Business Council (CBBC) is an important and active organization to help British and Chinese businesses and organizations work together in China, Britain and third markets around the world.

With 60 years of experience, experts in 11 British offices and 15 Chinese locations, and a diverse 1,000-strong membership, CBBC cooperate closely with the British government to highlight export opportunities for British companies and investment opportunities for Chinese organizations.

Rous has been appointed as chief executive of CBBC since this June.