British Consul General Matthew Rous delivers a speech

Chen Xiaochun

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Shenzhen British Day 2016, organized by the British Chamber of Commerce Guangdong and in partnership with the British Consulate-General Guangzhou and the British Council, was held yesterday at Shenzhen Shekou International School in Jingshan Villa.

About 50 enterprises with English elements joined the event to promote their products. Hundreds of people of different nationalities, young and old, all gathered at the soccer field of the school to relax, have fun, and enjoy the music and the food.

“We work very hard in South China to build links between government and government, and business and business. But possibly the most fun part of what we do is building those important people-to-people links. And today’s British Day is a great example of that,” said Matthew Rous, consul general of the British Consulate-General Guangzhou.

Rous added that it’s never been easier to get a visa to go to the U.K. “We have three to five day priority service for our visas. We even have a 24-hour super priority visa service. So it’s never been easier to visit for a holiday or to study. We have a fantastic liberal education service going back centuries,” said Rous, encouraging people to consider the U.K. for their education.

“I think it’s a good excuse to get the community out. We actually joined the party a little late. But it’s a great day and we are happy. It’s good to reach out to customers, both Chinese and foreigners alike,” said Kevin Wallace, a food vendor at the event.

Tan Xin, marketing and communications manager of the British Chamber of Commerce Guangdong, said that the reason for holding the event in Shenzhen is that the chamber set up its Shenzhen office in 2014 and its membership in Shenzhen has since been growing.

“We hope that holding such an event will give feedback to our members here in Shenzhen so that enterprises with British elements can have a better platform to reach Shenzhen citizens,” said Tan.