Closer Sino-UK auto cooperation urged

More than 130 delegates attend the 2024 UK-China Automotive Collaboration Forum and the UK Chinese Society of Automotive Engineers Annual Conference held in Birmingham on Dec 7. (Photo provided to China Daily)

Industry experts and business leaders from China and the United Kingdom called for strengthened Sino-British cooperation in the automotive industry at the 2024 UK-China Automotive Collaboration Forum and the UK Chinese Society of Automotive Engineers Annual Conference held in Birmingham on Saturday.

The event, organized by the UK Chinese Society of Automotive Engineers, drew over 130 in-person attendees and attracted an online audience of more than 30,000 viewers.

In a video message to the participants, Chris Mason, chief executive officer of the International Federation of Automotive Engineering Societies, or FISITA, a UK-based international membership organization for the mobility technology community, said China and the UK possess complementary strengths in the mobility sector, and closer cooperation can lead to new achievements in the industry.

China is leading the mobility transition, while the UK remains a traditional automotive powerhouse, thus strengthening collaboration in research and development, innovation, and market access will drive progress for both nations, Mason said.

Claire Urry, chief commercial officer at the China-Britain Business Council, said both China and the UK recognize the urgency of addressing climate change, and collaborative efforts between the two countries could accelerate the global deployment of electric vehicles, contributing to reducing carbon emissions.

The event also featured a keynote session with speakers including Ge Hongde, the country manager of BYD UK and Ireland; Zhao Hua, pro vice-chancellor research at the Brunel University of London and Jon Caine, technical director at AVL Powertrain UK, a mobility technology company. They discussed the overseas expansion of Chinese car brands and the latest advancements in automotive technology.

Xu Hongming, president of the UK Chinese Society of Automotive Engineers and professor of energy and automotive engineering at the University of Birmingham, expressed hope that the event could continue to serve as a platform for exchanges and cooperation.

"As an annual event for the China-UK automotive industry, this forum not only provides an effective platform for exchanges and cooperation but also promotes in-depth cooperation between China and the UK in automotive engineering and related fields by discussing the latest technologies and policy developments," Xu said.

"The UK Chinese Society of Automotive Engineers will continue to promote multinational cooperation and technological innovation to contribute to the sustainable development of the global automotive industry," he added.