by Xinhua writers Sun Xiaoling, Liang Xizhi
LONDON, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- Despite the COVID-19 impact, Britain and China will find a way forward as businesses look for a long term goal, John McLean, newly-appointed chair of the Institute of Directors (IoD) for the City of London, told Xinhua in a recent interview.
"As Britain has left Europe and becomes Global Britain, it needs to look East," said McLean, adding that the emerging middle class in China is attractive to British enterprises.
"The middle class would like British products, and indeed they would like British services. It is quite a natural fit," McLean said.
McLean believed that although the pandemic has failed to bring people of the two sides together, things are set to change as tourism resumes with improvements not only in economic cooperation but also in terms of bilateral understanding.
"In 2008 when there was the economic tsunami, China was very much the engine room of the world. And the relationship between China and the UK was very good," he said.
"When tourism actually opens up, I think there will be a kind of another tsunami, but a positive one, actually bringing people together," said McLean.
"I strongly believe that in a post-COVID era, China again will be that engine," he added.
Asked about in what areas Britain and China could further strengthen cooperation, McLean listed three: global finance and innovation, green industries and environment, and healthcare sector.
McLean expressed optimism about the future relationship between the two countries.
"If you go back in history of the relationship between our two countries," he said, "yes we have had hiccups, yes we have had issues, yes we have had problems to resolve. But we will find a solution if people put their minds to it, we will."
Founded in 1903, IoD is the British longest running organization for company directors, senior business leaders and entrepreneurs. Its London branches operate 11 groups focusing on sectors including finance, property, education and international trade. Enditem