On October 22, 2024, a brand-new UK Visa Application Center officially commenced operations at the Guangliu International Center, 8th Floor, No. 78 Pazhou Avenue, Haizhu District, Guangzhou. The opening ceremony was attended by key figures including Sarah Mann, British Consul-General in Guangzhou, and Kishen Singh, Chief Operating Officer for VFS China and Mongolia.
The event highlighted the significant achievements in UK-China relations throughout 2024 and looked ahead to key industry trends in South China for 2025.
Consul-General Sarah Mann expressed optimism about the upgraded center’s impact. “I believe this new UK visa center will provide applicants with greater convenience, whether for work, tourism, or study at our world-leading institutions. We look forward to welcoming many more Chinese citizens submitting their visa applications here in the coming years,” she said.
In the past 12 months, the UK issued over 637,000 visas to Chinese citizens, marking a 69% increase compared to the previous year. Throughout 2024, the UK has actively engaged in business, climate, and cultural exchanges in the South China region. Highlights include the 10th anniversary of the UK-China (Guangdong) CCUS (Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage) Centre, the first birthday celebration of King Charles III following his coronation, the UK National Pavilion’s debut at the China International Consumer Products Expo in Hainan, and the “Unlimited UK Music” festival held across Guangzhou and Shenzhen during the summer.
Last week, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy visited China, underscoring the shared responsibility of the two major economies to work collaboratively on pragmatic solutions to global challenges. According to data from the UK Office for National Statistics, trade between the UK and China has surged over recent decades, with UK exports to China (including Hong Kong) increasing from £4.3 billion in 2000 to over £22 billion in 2023, representing an average annual growth rate of 8%. The UK remains China’s third-largest trading partner in Europe and the second-largest destination for Chinese investment, laying a solid foundation for deeper commercial ties between the two nations.
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