On January 30, the China–UK Business Forum was held in Beijing. Jointly hosted by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) and the UK Government, the event was attended by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who delivered remarks. Distinguished guests from the political and business communities of both countries, as well as representatives from chambers of commerce, enterprises, and media organizations, gathered to explore new opportunities for bilateral cooperation.
The forum featured an opening ceremony and several parallel sessions, including the Roundtable on Health and Life Sciences, the Regional Opportunities Seminar, and the CEO Roundtable. Discussions focused on key topics such as economic and trade cooperation, industrial collaboration, and regional development. During the event, China and the UK signed a series of major cooperation agreements covering goods trade, services trade, and mechanisms for economic and trade cooperation.
In addition, two strategic Memoranda of Understanding signed between the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) and the Chengdu City Concert Hall and Wuxi Symphony Hall became a cultural highlight of the forum. The signing ceremony was witnessed by Lucy Rigby KCPM, UK Ecmomic Secretary to the Treasury; Wray Armstrong, Chairman of Armstrong Music & Arts; and Hu Xiao, Deputy General Manager of Chengdu City Concert Hall. RPO Managing Director Sarah Bardwell and Armstrong Music & Arts CEO Evita Zhang signed the agreements respectively with Wang Yiping, Chairman of Chengdu City Concert Hall, and Zhan Miao, General Manager of Wuxi Symphony Hall.
According to the agreements, in celebration of the RPO’s 80th anniversary in 2026, the orchestra will embark on a China tour with violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter, with performances planned in Chengdu, Wuxi, and other partner cities. The parties also outlined a three-year plan for in-depth collaboration in areas such as artist residencies, joint creation, and arts education—marking a shift from “cultural exchange” to “cultural co-creation.” Sarah Bardwell noted that this represents “a historic long-term commitment,” adding that the orchestra will work hand in hand with its Chinese partners to cultivate fertile ground for the development of classical music and to strengthen people to people ties through the arts.
Wuxi, newly designated a “World City of Music,” inaugurated its Symphony Hall in 2026. Its strategic partnership with a world-class orchestra establishes an international benchmark for the city’s new cultural landmark, helping Wuxi fulfill its global commitment as a World Capital of Music and promoting the intergenerational transmission of public culture. General Manager Zhan Miao stated that the collaboration marks a significant milestone in Wuxi’s cultural development and will elevate the city’s international profile.
As a major cultural center in western China, Chengdu is accelerating its development as an “International Music City.” The partnership with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra represents an important milestone in this process. Chairman Wang Yiping remarked, “This is undoubtedly a historic milestone in Chengdu’s journey toward becoming an International Music Capital. What we are introducing is not only world-class artistry, but also a comprehensive set of international expertise and innovative mechanisms that will help evolve the city’s artistic ecosystem and leave a lasting cultural legacy and talent foundation for Chengdu.”
The successful implementation of this China–UK cultural cooperation is attributed to the longterm efforts of Armstrong Music & Arts. Building on major exchange projects such as the 2024 Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra UK Tour and the 2025 Hallé Orchestra China Tour, the two sides have established a stable channel for twoway cultural exchange, becoming an important bridge for China–UK cultural relations.
