UK-China Ties Strengthened: Highlights from the Prime Minister's Visit and TQUK's Role in Vocational Recognition
On the afternoon of 29 January 2026, in the presence of Chinese Premier Li Qiang and UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, China's Minister of Human Resources and Social Security Wang Xiaoping and UK's Secretary of State for Business and Trade Peter Kyle signed the MoU on UK-China Cooperation in Vocational Skills Education and Training.
On 30 January 2026, during Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's official visit to China, the UK Government released a trade and investment factsheet summarising the key outcomes of the trip. It highlighted progress in market access cooperation, including the UK's welcome of China's expansion of recognised overseas qualifications—specifically for UK providers in Shanghai—and support for pathways to further qualifications and institutional partnerships.
This aligns closely with key achievements for TQUK in 2025:
On 28 November 2025, the Shanghai Municipal Human Resources and Social Security Bureau published China's (and Shanghai's) first Directory of Overseas Vocational Skills Comparison and Recognition. TQUK's qualifications in Caregiving and Elderly Care were included, marking the first UK skills qualifications to achieve this official recognition in China. This shifts toward recognising practical vocational skills creates valuable alignment with local standards and supports broader access for learners and employers.
Also in November, at the China International Import Expo (CIIE), TQUK signed an MoU with Shanghai Foreign Service Group (FSG), a leading human resources services provider, to establish "International Training Certification Ecosystem Alliance," which aims to localise global skills training in Shanghai, promote high-quality vocational development, and facilitate employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for talent with international standards.
TQUK's collaboration with Sunny Sisters Group, China's leading domiciliary and healthcare services provider, continues to progress. Through this partnership, TQUK qualifications are going to deliver to Sunny Sisters' learners and workforce, upskilling professionals in caregiving to meet international benchmarks and addressing growing demand in the sector.
These milestones complement the new MoU on Collaboration in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and cooperation in domiciliary services agreed during the Prime Minister's visit.
If these updates present opportunities for your centre—such as delivering recognised qualifications in care sectors, exploring new partnerships, or adapting provision—please contact the TQUK East & Southeast Asia team. We're here to assist and collaborate.