UK firms get tips on succeeding in China

John McLean, chairman of the China UK Business Development Center, urged more UK businesses to visit China to break biases and misinformation.

"Anytime you go back there, you get a feeling of what is actually happening, what is current, what the opportunities are. If you are not there, all you can do is read your WeChat, read the press, speak to somebody on the phone, or whatever it might be. It is not the same," McLean said. "Seeing is believing and I think there are a few of us who did that. But there are not enough people who come from Britain and it is more Chinese people coming to the UK, and we need to reverse that."

Lin Xiying, head of Asia at Gerald Edelman, expressed gratitude for the advice offered by the panelists.

"Succeeding in China is not easy," Lin said. "But with the right support, it can be done. We hope that by holding these events we help more businesses successfully navigate the Chinese market."