The UK’s Integrated Review published earlier this year called for deepening trade and attracting more investment from China. And called China the biggest state-based threat to the UK’s economic security. HM Trade Commissioner to China and Hong Kong, John Edwards, will set out why that is not a contradiction but a reflection of a complex relationship with the world’s second largest economy.

John Edwards was one of the nine Trade Commissioners appointed by the British government to promote the UK in important global markets. As the head of the Department for International Trade in China, John is in charge of all bilateral trade issues and works closely with Her Majesty’s Ambassador in Beijing to promote UK trade and prosperity. John has twenty-five years of experience working for the UK government, with more than half of that time spent in China including as HM Consul General in Shanghai (2015–19) and Minister Counsellor at the British Embassy (2012–15). In his previous roles in China, John has led teams across China dealing with science and innovation, energy, climate change and health policy. As Consul General in Shanghai he was responsible for the trade and investment relationship across East China. In his most recent role as Deputy Trade Commissioner he was responsible for the advanced manufacturing, Tech, education, life sciences and healthcare sectors.
Outside of China, John was the speechwriter for three Foreign Secretaries and was the Deputy Consul General in Jerusalem. John graduated from Oxford University with a degree in Ancient and Modern History.