On October 22, the brand-new UK Visa Application Center in Guangzhou officially opened its doors. During the inauguration ceremony, Sarah Mann, the British Consul General in Guangzhou, shared some exciting statistics. “In the past year, the UK has issued over 637,000 visas to Chinese citizens, representing a remarkable 69% increase,” she noted. “We anticipate even more visa applications from Chinese citizens in the coming years, and many of them will be processed right here at this new center.”
According to the UK Visas and Immigration statistics, China saw over 500,000 visitor visas granted in the year leading up to June 2024, marking a staggering 109% increase compared to the previous year. Among the international students, Chinese citizens continue to hold a significant position, with over 107,000 student visas issued.
The trade relationship between the UK and China has experienced tremendous growth over the past few decades. Currently, the UK stands as China’s third-largest trading partner in Europe and the second-largest destination for investment, while China is the UK’s largest trading partner in Asia. The collaboration between the UK and the South China region extends to trade, education, sports, and cultural exchanges. This November, a trade delegation of six UK technology companies will participate in the High-Tech Fair in Shenzhen. Additionally, representatives from the UK retail sector are set to visit China for the first time since the pandemic, aiming to meet with e-commerce giants in Guangzhou and organize a British-Chinese retail brand matchmaking salon, fostering discussions on cooperation in the retail, fashion, and e-commerce sectors in South China.
