Stephen Phillips, chief executive of the China-Britain Business Council, told China Daily that he expected continued investment interests in China from British companies across a wide range of sectors.

"This is inevitable in a country as large and as diverse as China. Clearly different regions of China are at different states of development," he said.

The London-based CBBC is the leading organization that helps British companies grow and develop their business in China. Its mission is to help companies "access the full potential of the fastest growing market in the world".