John McLean, chairman of the China-UK Business Development Centre, told China Daily he was impressed with "how pragmatic and commercial" the Chinese car manufacturers have been in the UK market.

He said their brands of "electric vehicles are now becoming mainstream".

Ling Lei, head of China brand globalization at JD Group, shared his perspective on how Chinese brands can integrate into local markets over the long term.

"Efficiency has become a major advantage for Chinese companies going global," he said. "But for the next generation of Chinese global enterprises, efficiency and speed alone are not enough. Building trust with local markets is the key. I believe the concept of 'Made in China' will, in the end, evolve into 'Sold by China and trusted by the world'."

In March, JD.com launched its online retail platform Joybuy in the UK, offering next-day delivery to about 17 million UK households. According to the BBC, the platform is expected to challenge established players such as Amazon in the UK market.

Kai Zhang, country manager of Xiaomi UK, also shared thoughts about the company's confidence in the UK market and confirmed Xiaomi EV plans to officially enter the European market in 2027.

"The global success of pioneering Chinese companies has already helped establish a strong reputation for smart mobility and demonstrated the potential of Chinese automotive technology to the UK market," he said.

Gary Lan, CEO of Omoda, Jaecoo and Chery UK, said there are no quick wins when companies expand globally.

"Rather than simply entering a market, you have to become part of it," he said.

In January, Liverpool City Council announced that Chery Commercial Vehicle (CCV) would establish its first European headquarters in Liverpool, during the visit to China by the UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

According to the BBC, Liverpool City Council described it was "one of the most significant projects" for the city's advanced manufacturing base in recent years, with leader Liam Robinson saying it was a "huge opportunity" for Liverpool, the wider city region and the UK.

This year marks the third edition of the Cambridge China Business Forum and McLean, from the China-UK Business Development Centre, said it serves as a platform offering participants a glimpse into how business collaboration and partnerships are taking place in reality, not just in theory.

In his keynote speech, McLean quoted a line from Tang Dynasty (618-907) poet Du Fu, after the poet had climbed Mount Tai "to see all other mountains at a glance".

"You have to stand back and look at the bigger picture," he said, noting that the bigger picture has really started to change between China and the UK.

He added that China's 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) and the UK's Modern Industrial Strategy share many common priorities.

"In many important respects, our economies are more complementary than competitive," he said. "There is no reason for China and the UK not to work together."