On July 6, 2023, Vice President Han Zheng attended in Beijing an event on the 70th anniversary of the "Icebreaking Mission" in China-UK trade, and read out President Xi Jinping's congratulatory letter.

Han Zheng said that President Xi Jinping specially sending a congratulatory letter fully demonstrates the high importance he attaches to the event. 70 years ago, UK entrepreneurs represented by Mr. Jack Perry broke the ice of trade of the West toward China, and opened the door for China-UK cooperation, becoming a well-told story in the history of China-UK exchanges. Over the years, the 48 Group Club and the China-Britain Business Council have contributed outstandingly to carrying forward China-UK friendship and promoting economic, trade, and people-to-people and cultural exchanges between China and the UK.

Han Zheng said that 70 years on, China-UK cooperation has brought each other tremendous opportunities for development, the essence of which is mutual benefit and win-win results. Han Zheng expressed the hope that people of vision from all walks of life in China and the UK will carry on the icebreaking spirit, and promote China-UK friendly cooperation to constantly score new success, especially in economic and trade fields.

About 100 representatives from the Chinese and UK business communities attended the event.