MADABP (7)
(D) COMMERCIAL STAFF IN CHINA
POINTS TO MAKE
Commercial work in China is carried out by our posts in Peking, Shanghai and China Trade Unit in the British Trade Commission Hong
Kong.
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China Trade Unit consists of three UK based staff, co-located with British Trade Commission, Hong Kong, but forms part of commercial section at British Embassy in Peking and is responsible
to Commercial Counsellor there.
The Commercial Section in Peking consist of 9 UK based staff.
Since 1987, the Commercial Section in Peking has been reinforced by addition of a Third Secretary and a First Secretary on secondment from Industry. Commercial Counsellor is seconded from
the DTI.
Commercial Section in Peking staffed at a relatively senior level
because of the nature of commercial work in China, which
involves considerable dialogue with senior Chinese Government
officials.
Since 1985 Commercial Work in Shanghai also carried out by 3 UK.
based staff
SUPPLEMENTARY
Why is UK share of Chinese import market so small?
Agree that performance of British companies in Chinese market not
as effective as it should be.
UK share of Chinese import market is only about 1.5%, compared with 4% for French and 9% for Germans.
But this does not reflect any shortcoming in ministerial,