The Shandong-UK week opens in London with the goal of strengthening cooperative ties between the Chinese coastal province and the United Kingdom. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Bridging business and culture, the first Shandong-UK exchange and cooperation week has opened its doors in London, unlocking new avenues for bilateral collaboration.

The opening ceremony was held on Sept 9 (local time), bringing together businesses, policymakers, officials and experts from the United Kingdom and East China's Shandong province to explore new cooperation opportunities for trade and investment, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, the marine economy, and people-to-people exchanges.

Shandong cities such as Zibo and Liaocheng, along with enterprises including Shandong Port Group, Hisense, Qilu Pharmaceutical, and Dishang Group, delivered special presentations to comprehensively showcase the province's new achievements in high-quality development, as well as its industrial strength, innovation capacity, and openness.

Sun Ximin, vice-governor of Shandong, said the event serves as a platform for Shandong companies and industries to strengthen ties with their UK counterparts, while giving UK businesses a closer look at the investment opportunities across Shandong.

Cathryn Law, director of China, Development and Market Access at the UK's Department for Business and Trade, highlighted the solid commercial links already forged between UK and Shandong firms. 

Both sides said they aim to deepen their cooperation on innovation-driven development and the green and low-carbon transition.

Shandong and UK representatives chat during the opening event of the Shandong-UK week in London. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Fifteen cooperation projects were signed at the opening ceremony, with two outcomes of joint projects unveiled. Additionally, healthcare and life sciences stood out as a key focus at the event, with an industrial dialogue gathering companies and industry representatives to unlock potential in medical and life science sectors.

Shandong boasts a strong healthcare and pharmaceutical industry, with the sector accounting for nearly 10 percent of China's total. Companies including WEGO Group, Bloomage Biotech, Kexing Biopharm, and Luye Pharma showcased their products at the event and explored potential partnerships with UK companies and institutions.

The Shandong delegation also visited Liverpool and Edinburgh for a series of themed sessions covering trade, investment, the marine economy, and cultural exchanges. In Edinburgh, the delegation held a meeting with nearly 20 Shandong enterprises and Scottish Development International, advancing practical cooperation and friendly ties at the same time.