Key Summary
- UK announced a public-private partnership for local healthy ageing in across China.
- It was finalised during foreign secretary Yvette Cooper’s visit to the country.
- The collaboration will establish local Healthy Ageing Hubs under a newly formed “AI Wellness Project.”
The UK has announced a public-private partnership to support healthy ageing initiatives across China.
The initiative brings together Prudential plc and the National Innovation Centre for Ageing (NICA) to launch a network of hubs in China.
The collaboration was finalised during foreign secretary Yvette Cooper’s visit to the country.
It will create local Healthy Ageing Hubs under a newly-established “AI Wellness Project.”
Built around NICA’s “City of Longevity” model, the project will introduce UK-developed innovations into local communities and provide free support to residents, opening new opportunities in China’s growing silver economy.
The hubs are intended to support more age-friendly urban environments by encouraging mobility, healthier lifestyle choices and stronger community ties.
The partnership is also expected to strengthen the UK’s position in global health innovation and create commercial opportunities for British life sciences and healthcare firms.
Peter Wilson, British Ambassador to the People's Republic of China, shared: “British life science expertise is in demand in China. We are proud to have helped NICA and Prudential to engage with China’s growing healthcare market. Initiatives like ‘City of Longevity Beijing’ will create growth opportunities for British businesses and reinforce the UK’s reputation as a world leader in health innovation.”
Cooper’s visit to China and India also covered issues of importance to the UK’s national interest, including freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and artificial intelligence.
Her meetings included discussions with Chinese Vice President Han Zheng and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, as well as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar.
The Foreign Secretary said the UK must remain engaged with major global players to ensure it stays central to international debate on the issues shaping the world today.
