Demand for UK goods in China seems to be picking uppublished at 07:46 GMT
Suranjana Tewari
Asia business correspondent
It’s been a difficult few years for UK businesses in China – but demand seems to be picking up and firms are now seeing an improvement in trade between the two countries.
According to UK government data, UK exports rose 6.4% to £22.6bn ($29.3bn) between mid-2024 and 2025, reversing a decline the year before.
Some areas of the UK are driving the recovery. In England’s North West, exports have surged by more than 40%, led by sales of high-tech generators and pharmaceuticals.
In the South West, exports of machinery, medical equipment and transport-related goods grew for a fourth straight year.
Services are performing even more strongly – in business, finance, education, technology, legal, accounting, and digital services.
Travel and tourism are also rebounding, with visits from China to the UK rising sharply, and Chinese visitors once again becoming an important source of spending for Britain’s hotels, retailers and attractions.
The trade relationship remains heavily tilted in China’s favour – but the latest figures show British exports are recovering.
