Tech West England Advocates has announced two initiatives designed to strengthen ties between the UK and Chinese tech sectors.
The non-profit organisation will hold a tech trade mission to the Chinese cities of Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Hong Kong later this year.
Set to take place between 23 and 27 November, the trip is aimed at expanding the deep relationship between the tech communities in the West of England and southern China’s Greater Bay Area.
The trip comes as Bristol and Guangzhou celebrate 25 years as sister cities, while Birmingham has been working with the Chinese city for 20 years. It is seen as a way of honouring these two milestones.
The 2026 Tech West England Advocates trade mission to China also marks the first time the group has visited Guangzhou in addition to Shenzhen and Hong Kong. Many dub Shenzhen as China’s Silicon Valley, while Hong Kong is one of the world’s leading financial hubs.
Together making up the Greater Bay Area, these locations comprise more than 86 million people, $1.9 trillion of GDP and many leading manufacturing and technology firms, according to Tech West England Advocates.
Partners of this trade mission include the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol), the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), the British Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong, the British Chamber of Commerce South China and the Institute of Directors (IoD).
Additionally, Tech West England Advocates will organise the UK Market Discovery Tour in June. It will be attended by a group of Chinese technology companies and will take place at the same time as London Tech Week.
This initiative will be an opportunity for the Chinese tech delegation to learn more about the UK’s tech industry, with trips planned to visit regional tech clusters across London, Bristol and Birmingham.
The announcement follows Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s three-day visit to China, the first of its kind in eight years, where he met Chinese president Xi Jinping in January. It resulted in export and investment deals valued in the billions of pounds for British firms.
Richard Lowe, who is organising the mission as founder of Tech West England Advocates, said: “With bilateral trade exceeding £100bn annually and new visa-free access opening windows for UK founders, the timing for expansion has never been more optimal. This mission provides senior-level access, meaningful introductions and real commercial opportunity.
“By running bilateral missions – from taking UK founders to China in November to bringing Chinese innovators to London, Bristol and Birmingham in June – we are truly cementing a two-way bridge for global tech growth.”
