Seventy years ago, Jack Perry Sr led a UK delegation across the Chinese mainland in the historic 1953 Icebreaker Mission, sealing a £30 million (USD 38 million) deal—the West's first big trade pact with China.
Today, his grandson Jack Perry Jr, now chairman of The 48 Group, has returned to witness a different China. "The pace of innovation here is mind-blowing," he says amidst Shenzhen's skyscrapers and Shanghai's startup hubs. Yet he warns: "Businesses crave stability in uncertain times."
On the other side, Ren Hongbin, chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), is ready to take up the icebreaker mantle. "The Chinese mainland is prepared to build new bridges for win-win cooperation in a world that urgently needs it," he asserts.
What does this mean for global citizens? For entrepreneurs eyeing emerging markets, it's a signal that doors are wide open—from fintech pilots in Hangzhou to green energy collaborations in Guangzhou, and even cultural exchanges like joint film festivals and basketball tours.
For changemakers and travelers, it's a reminder that people-to-people exchanges still power progress—and what better way to explore than to witness first-hand the startups, street food scenes, and esports arenas where East meets West?
As digital nomads hop between co-working spaces in Beijing and London, the call is clear: breaking ice is more than a nod to history—it's a rallying cry for fresh partnerships that bridge cultures, economies, and ideas.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
