On July 1 local time, the "Export to China" UK special event, co-hosted by China's Ministry of Commerce and the UK Department for Business and Trade, was held in London.  China’s Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao and UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade Peter Kyle attended and delivered remarks. Also present were Chinese Ambassador to the UK Zheng Zeguang, Executive Director of ICBC Duan Hongtao, and Chair of the China-Britain Business Council Sir Sherard Cowper-Coles.

During the event, Wu Zhengping, Deputy Director-General, China International Import Expo Bureau, gave a special promotional presentation on the CIIE, outlining the fruitful achievements of the first eight editions and sharing "CIIE stories" of the long-standing partnership and mutual empowerment between the CIIE and UK enterprises. He extended an invitation to UK stakeholders to participate in the 9th CIIE this November in Shanghai and seize the opportunities presented by China's supersized market. The UK is the 2026 annual theme country for the "Export to China" initiative. The 9th CIIE will coordinate and synergize with the "Export to China" brand activities, offering tailored "benefit packages" for enterprises and institutions from the UK and other theme countries in terms of participation and exhibition, culminating in the annual highlight of the "Export to China" campaign.

During their stay in the UK, the CIIE working team held talks with multiple institutions including London & Partners, the China-Britain Business Development Centre, the China-Britain Business Council, companies such as De Beers, and partner banks including Bank of China London Branch and ICBC London. These meetings aimed to actively expand overseas exhibition promotion and recruitment networks and deepen practical cooperation.