The British Chambers of Commerce has called on the prime minister to take a practical, business-focused approach during his visit to China, arguing that closer engagement is essential to supporting growth and competitiveness in an increasingly fragmented global economy.

The British Chambers of Commerce said the UK could not afford to sideline its third-largest trading partner and the world’s second-biggest economy at a time of heightened geopolitical tension and supply chain uncertainty.

Trade between the UK and China is estimated to be worth around £100bn a year, involving more than 10,000 exporting firms. The UK runs a substantial surplus in services, with further scope for expansion in areas such as education, tourism, culture, financial services and professional advice.

The BCC also highlighted growth potential in sectors including life sciences, advanced manufacturing and the creative industries, where British firms retain strong international reputations.

Steven Lynch, director of international trade at the BCC and former managing director of the British Chamber of Commerce in China, said the visit should prioritise economic outcomes over diplomatic symbolism.

“The prime minister’s visit to Beijing is coming at a time when trade sits at the sharp edge of diplomacy and geopolitics,” he said. “But this must be about economic diplomacy, clear-eyed pragmatism and delivering for British jobs, growth and competitiveness.”

Mr Lynch said that while many UK businesses were keen to expand their presence in China, uncertainty over regulation, political risk and market access remained significant barriers. China-linked trade already supports about 370,000 UK jobs, he noted, but companies often struggle to navigate the commercial and policy landscape.

He added that engagement with China should not be framed as a binary choice between competing blocs. “This is not an either-or decision between China, the US or the EU,” he said. “It is about resilience, diversification and creating new opportunities.”

Business confidence, he argued, depended on stable and predictable trading relationships, underpinned by clear government guidance. Firms were seeking a balance between openness and economic security, allowing trade to grow while safeguarding sensitive sectors.

“This visit won’t rebalance global trade overnight,” Mr Lynch said. “But if it lowers tensions, reduces friction and gives UK companies greater confidence to operate, that would represent meaningful progress.”

The BCC said sustained, targeted engagement with China, alongside robust risk management, would be central to helping British exporters compete in an increasingly complex global market.