ESP Joins the 48 Group AI + Expo Roadshow in China

Emerald Strategy Partners (ESP) was delighted to be invited by Jack Perry and the 48 Group to join the AI + Expo Roadshow 2025, a landmark UK–China trade mission showcasing opportunities in AI, renewable energy, advanced manufacturing, biotech, and international investment.

This high-level delegation included leading British and Irish businesses and institutions such as KPMG, Octopus Energy, UK International Chamber of Commerce, and academic partners, alongside ESP. Together we engaged with Chinese government leaders, innovation clusters, and major corporations across Beijing, Shandong, and Zhejiang.

The Roadshow’s purpose was clear: to break down barriers in East–West business, foster dialogue, and open doors for cross-border cooperation in key sectors shaping the future economy.

Beijing Highlights

As China’s political and innovation capital, Beijing set the stage for the Roadshow with major government and corporate engagements.

• Official launch of the 48 Group’s China Office in E-Town, demonstrating a long-term commitment to supporting UK–China partnerships.

• Participation in the China–UK AI Cooperation Forum with over 200 attendees, exploring applications of AI in biomedicine, smart manufacturing, clean energy, and digital twin technologies.

• Signing of a cooperation agreement between ESP’s Science & Technology Innovation & Investment Promotion Service Center and Beijing E-Town International Service Trade Co., covering trade matching, talent training, and innovation exchange.

• High-level meetings with senior officials at MOFCOM and Beijing municipal authorities (Xicheng, Chaoyang).

• Site visit to Xiaomi’s EV Hyperfactory, gaining first-hand insight into China’s next-generation smart manufacturing.

• Participation in the Global Trade & Investment Summit with 800+ senior stakeholders, alongside UK delegation members including KPMG and Octopus Energy, who showcased opportunities in financial services, sustainability, and clean energy innovation.

  
  

Shandong (Jinan & Qingdao) Highlights

The delegation’s visit to Shandong focused on finance, innovation, and Shandong’s role as a rising hub for technology and logistics.

• At Shandong University of Finance and Economics (Jinan), UK and Chinese firms held a large business matchmaking event with 200+ participants from business, academia, and government.

• In Jinan, dialogues centered on AI, green technologies, and cross-border trade, highlighting opportunities for collaboration between Shandong enterprises and UK/Irish partners.

• In Qingdao, the delegation met with municipal leaders to explore partnerships in the port and marine economy, logistics innovation zones, and sustainable industrial development.

• Industrial site tours and one-on-one business meetings between UK firms and Chinese counterparts helped identify concrete cooperation projects.

• Private dinner with Shandong provincial leadership, where commitments were expressed to deepen UK–China trade and attract foreign investment into the province.

  
  

Zhejiang (Hangzhou) Highlights

Zhejiang, home to some of China’s most dynamic tech firms, provided a fitting finale to the Roadshow.

• Meetings with Zhejiang Provincial People’s Congress, Department of Economy & IT, Foreign Affairs, and Commerce, focusing on Zhejiang’s innovation-driven development strategy.

• Visit to Unitree Robotics, a leading robotics innovator, with demonstrations of cutting-edge automation and AI-enabled solutions.

• Tour of CHINT Group, one of China’s largest renewable energy and smart grid firms, showcasing opportunities in green energy and infrastructure.

• Roundtable at China Biopharmaceutical Town (Qiantang District) with biotech, clean energy, smart materials, optical tech, and AI firms – fostering in-depth discussions on future collaboration.

• The Roadshow officially concluded in Hangzhou, highlighting Zhejiang’s ambition to be a global center for innovation and underscoring the value of UK–China partnerships in advanced technology and sustainability.

  
  

Being part of this landmark Roadshow was an exceptional experience for ESP. It gave us direct access to senior government decision-makers, leading Chinese companies, and top-tier innovation clusters. More importantly, it allowed us to deepen our mission of building bridges between East and West, helping Irish and European businesses engage more confidently with China while also supporting Chinese firms expanding into Europe.

We extend our gratitude to Jack Perry, the 48 Group, and our fellow UK delegation members including KPMG and Octopus Energy, for making this Roadshow a success.

The journey underscored the importance of dialogue, trust, and innovation in breaking down barriers. ESP looks forward to transforming the connections made during the AI + Expo Roadshow into long-term, impactful collaborations.