#Beijing #United Kingdom #Hithium #Keir Starmer #Wu Zuyu

A Pivotal Meeting on Energy Cooperation

On January 29, 2026, an important event unfolded in Beijing as UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer convened with his Chinese counterpart, Li Qiang, during the closing ceremony of the China-UK Business Council meeting. The gathering saw participation from over 110 representatives across various enterprises and institutions from both countries, including Wu Zuyu, the founder and president of Hithium, a leading player in the long-duration energy storage sector.

Importance of the Meeting

Prime Minister Starmer emphasized that his visit aimed to deepen understanding of China and expand cooperative opportunities across multiple sectors, including trade, investment, and technology. His perspective reflects a broader strategy to establish a comprehensive strategic alliance between the UK and China, fostering active business collaborations that will ultimately benefit both nations’ citizens.

Wu Zuyu's attendance is particularly significant, given Hithium's role in developing innovative energy storage solutions. As the energy sector undergoes a transformation with a global shift towards clean energy, technologies that enhance energy storage capacity have become essential components of national energy policies. Wu listened intently to discussions led by notable leaders from both countries, focusing on the spirit of bilateral cooperation and the future landscape of clean energy development.

An Insightful Forum for Business Collaboration

The day after the meeting, on January 30, the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade and the UK government co-hosted the China-UK Business Forum in Beijing. This event provided an opportunity for both Chinese and British government officials, along with business leaders, to engage in in-depth public-private dialogues. During this forum, Starmer again met with Wu Zuyu, enabling them to exchange views on energy storage collaboration.

The UK government announced a significant investment initiative resulting from these discussions—Hithium's projects are expected to generate £200 million and create 300 high-quality jobs in the energy storage sector, thereby bolstering the UK's sovereign capacity and enhancing the reliability of its energy network. Such moves reflect Hithium's reputation as one of the world's foremost energy storage manufacturers.

Strengthening Sustainable Energy Transition

This dialogue between governmental representatives and private sector leaders underscores a dual approach—while formal talks continue at the government level, market-based exchanges and business collaborations are being actively promoted. This partnership aims to merge the complementary strengths of both nations, catalyzing joint efforts toward sustainable development in the global clean energy sector.

As the world accelerates its transition towards renewable energy solutions, events like this facilitate critical conversations that are essential for ensuring a coherent and efficient global response to climate change and energy needs. Wu Zuyu’s engagement not only highlights Hithium’s role in this narrative but also signifies an unfolding chapter of international collaboration focused on achieving a sustainable energy future.



In conclusion, the interactions between UK and Chinese officials and the business community, as epitomized by the meeting between Prime Minister Starmer and Wu Zuyu, reflect a shared commitment to harnessing energy technology innovations. This partnership aims to fortify economic ties, paving the way for mutual growth and sustainable practices in the energy sector.