Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng has extended his formal congratulations on the successful staging of the annual “Icebreakers” Chinese New Year Dinner 2026, an influential gathering hosted by Britain’s 48 Group with partners including the China–Britain Business Council and the China Chamber of Commerce in the UK. The dinner, held on Friday in London, brought together a broad cross-section of leaders from government, business, and diplomatic communities to celebrate the Lunar New Year and underscore the enduring legacy of UK–China engagement.

Noting the recently reached strategic consensus between Chinese President Xi Jinping and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on forging a long-term, stable comprehensive partnership, He called for a reinvigorated “ice-breaking” spirit in advancing bilateral cooperation.

He highlighted the potential for expanding collaboration in key areas such as trade and investment, green transition, financial services, and scientific and technological innovation, urging both sides to convert this promise into tangible outcomes that will benefit the long-term trajectory of China–Britain relations.

The 48 Group, named after the original “Icebreakers” trade delegation of British businessmen that pioneered post-war economic ties with China in 1954, continues to play a central role in fostering practical exchange and mutual understanding.

He’s remarks reflect China’s emphasis on strengthening dialogue and productive engagement with the United Kingdom amid a shifting global landscape and building on recent diplomatic momentum between the two nations.