The motto of the 48 Group Club is ‘Equality and Mutual Benefit’ and it echoes the words of Zhou Enlai, China’s much-respected Premier from 1949 to 1976, who first used that phrase in 1953. Over the ensuing years, this commercial group, funded by its members, grew to be the most respected name in China-Britain trade, a name well known throughout China. The Group provided support and consultancy services to British companies entering China’s markets.

Today, 60 years after the ‘Icebreakers’ mission the 48 Group Club continues to develop the work of promoting positive Sino-British relations and Club members believe they have a vital role in unfreezing the cultural deficit between China and the world.