At the International Forum of the Overseas Studies on Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era held in Beijing on November 12-13, 2025, Keith Bennett, vice chair of Britain’s 48 Group Club, delivered a clear message to global leaders: efforts to isolate China are bound to fail.
"China is a leading country in innovation and research and development. It's the main trading partner of the overwhelming majority of countries in the world. It's a major investor internationally. It's a major recipient of foreign direct investment," Bennett told CGTN on the sidelines of the forum.
As the world’s second-largest economy, China anchors global supply chains from Shanghai’s port terminals to advanced manufacturing hubs across the Chinese mainland. According to recent data, it accounts for nearly 15% of global GDP and maintains trade ties with over 170 economies.
Bennett, whose 48 Group Club promotes UK-China business relations, stressed that "the potential for more positive economic, trade and cultural interaction between our two countries is still very much present, particularly if Britain is to fulfill the growth agenda that the government has set out."
His remarks underline a pragmatic shift among young entrepreneurs, tech innovators, and policymakers who see collaboration rather than confrontation as the key to sustainable growth and shared impact. From joint research on green technologies to cross-border digital start-ups, opportunities abound.
For global citizens navigating an interconnected economy, Bennett’s perspective is a reminder that engagement, data-driven strategy, and cultural exchange are the engines of progress in 2025. Isolating any major economic player, he argues, only sidelines potential solutions to challenges like supply-chain resilience and clean-energy transitions.
Reference(s):
British expert: China's economic clout makes 'isolation' impossible
cgtn.com
