Mark Boleat, Policy Chairman at the City of London Corporation, will be in Shanghai on 11-13 June to build on the financial ties between the UK and China.

During the three-day programme, the Policy Chairman will speak at Lujiazui Forum 2016 on UK-China financial cooperation as part of the special session to the “Country of Honour”. The UK has been invited to be the ‘Country of Honour’ at this year’s Lujiazui Forum – the first time another country has been given this status.

The Policy Chairman will participate in the City of London - Shanghai Free Trade Zone joint roundtable discussion on “New opportunities for international investment under emerging pattern”, and meet with representatives of leading Chinese businesses and Shanghai based UK financial industry figures. He is also scheduled to visit the Shanghai Clearing House, Shanghai Stock Exchange and China Financial Futures Exchange.

Speaking ahead of his visit, Policy Chairman Mark Boleat said:

“UK-China relations have gained huge momentum in recent years. President Xi Jinping’s visit last year reinforced strong diplomatic, cultural and economic links and laid a solid foundation for a golden era of UK-China ties. It is essential that the close links already established are strengthened through two-way dialogue and enhanced cooperation.

“Financial cooperation is vital to UK-China relations. We want to see further engagement in areas of mutual interest such as RMB internationalisation and Green Finance. I will raise both issues during my visit.

“I will also update the Chinese stakeholders on key UK issues, including the coming EU referendum, and explain why the City of London Corporation decided to speak up in favour of remaining in the European Union.”

As Policy Chairman, Mark Boleat leads on the City’s financial and professional services policy development, engaging with key financial players in the UK, Europe and across the world on policy issues affecting London as a key international financial centre.

NOTES TO EDITORS

1.Media enquiries

Julie Zhu, Media Officer, City of London Corporation

T 020 7332 3451 / M 07912 041 124

E julie.zhu@cityoflondon.gov.uk

2.About the City of London RMB Advisory Group

The City of London RMB Advisory Group was established in 2016 to succeed the ‘City of London initiative on London as a centre for renminbi business’ (2012-2015), which achieved its aim to develop a private and public sector strategy for the development of London as an international centre for RMB business. The RMB Advisory Group maintains the coordinated input from the UK-based financial sector on matters relating to the UK as a leading centre for RMB business and the internationalisation of the RMB. It is facilitated by the City of London Corporation and supported by HM Treasury and the Bank of England.

3.About the City of London Corporation

The City of London Corporation is a uniquely diverse organisation. It supports and promotes the City as the world leader in international finance and business services and provides local services and policing for those working in, living in and visiting the Square Mile. It also provides valued services to London and the nation.

www.cityoflondon.gov.uk

4.The City of London Corporation and China

The City of London Corporation has long recognised the critical importance of China to the UK-based financial services industry. The rapid growth of the Chinese economy brings a demand for international financial services - both to provide capital, risk management and expertise for companies as they expand - and to meet the needs of its growing middle classes, in areas such as savings products, pensions, insurance and wealth management. An important part of the City of London Corporation’s work is to help UK-based firms to access the Chinese market, and to promote a genuinely two-way exchange of trade and investment in financial and professional services. The City of London Corporation engages with the Chinese leadership, regional governments and with Chinese firms to position the City as China’s partner of choice in the provision of financial services, and the UK as a location of choice for Chinese overseas investments. The City of London Corporation’s engagement with China is guided by the City of London Advisory Council for China, a group of senior Chinese financial sector leaders. The Council provides a formal structure for engagement with Chinese financial services firms at a senior level, and expert guidance and advice on the Chinese market. The Council guides the City of London Corporation’s China strategy, and the work of the City of London representative offices in Beijing and Shanghai. More information is at www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/china