About 48 Group
The People’s Republic of China was founded in 1949 and the history of the 48 Group stems from the early 1950s when the founding ‘Icebreakers’ were the first Westerners to establish trade relations. In 1950s the United Kingdom became one of the first countries to recognise the People’s Republic of China but relations rapidly became hostile and frozen because of the war in Korea. Nevertheless, in 1951 the UK joined in a US-led embargo on the sale to China of goods of “strategic importance”. There was a thaw in British thinking when, in 1952, Lord Boyd-Orr, the first Director of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, stated publicly that:
"The Iron Curtain and the Bamboo Curtain would be less dangerous if there were more wagons crossing over them carrying goods from one side to the other. Trade increases understanding."
In the 1950s he led a delegation of British companies at a multinational economic conference in Moscow.
During that trailblazing mission the British delegation began historic talks with representatives of the New China government. Those early talks helped kick-start East-West trade during the then ‘Cold War’.
In 1953 Lord Boyd-Orr, who went on to form the British Council for the Promotion of International Trade (BCPIT), took 16 representatives of British companies, including Jack Perry, to China to discuss trade. The 1953 ‘Icebreaker Mission’ paved the way for the now fabled 1954 trade mission with 48 businessmen from British companies, which later became known generically as The 48 Group – The ‘Icebreakers’ and whose trail-blazing initiatives have become a long time part of British-Chinese history.
The motto of the 48 Group Group 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 and the world. The Group provided support and consultancy services to British companies entering China’s markets.
Today, more than 70 years after the ‘Icebreakers’ mission the 48 Group group continues to develop the work of promoting positive Sino-British relations and group members believe they have a vital role in unfreezing the cultural deficit between China and the world. President Xi Jinping hailed the 48 Group in a public letter, saying they “broke the ice of ideology fearlessly, and took the lead in opening up the channel of China-UK trade exchanges”.
Chinese President Xi Jinping describes the ‘Icebreakers’ as fearless and is pictured here with Stephen Perry, the Honorary President of the 48 Group
Jack with chinese ambassador
Chinese former Premier Zhu Rongji pictured with member of the 48 Group 中国国家前总理朱镕基会见48家集团俱乐部主席成员
Chinese former Premier Zhu Rongji pictured with Sir Edward Heath, former Prime Minister of the UK 中国国家前总理朱镕基会见英国前首相爱德华·希斯
The 48 Group, established in 1953 during the pioneering “Icebreaker Mission” led by Jack Perry Senior, has played a defining role in strengthening trade and cultural ties between the United Kingdom and China. This historic mission laid the foundation for the first trade agreement between New China and the Western world, creating long-standing opportunities for collaboration that continue to shape international commerce today.In February 2024, Jack Perry Jr., the third generation of his family to lead the Group, assumed the role of Chairman, carrying forward a legacy that has spanned over seven decades.
Upon taking on this role, Premier Li Qiang issued a formal letter recognizing the 48 Group’s contributions and reaffirming its importance in advancing UK-China relations. In 2025, Vice President Han Zheng further reinforced this support with a letter acknowledging the Group’s continued role in fostering bilateral cooperation.The significance of the 48 Group has also been highlighted by President Xi Jinping, who has commended its efforts in strengthening economic engagement and cultural exchange between the two nations. With a membership of over 600 senior executives, political leaders, diplomats, and academics, the 48 Group provides an established and highly regarded platform for building meaningful partnerships between the UK and China.In 2025, the 48 Group is launching a China-based membership for the first time, creating a direct platform for engagement between its UK and Chinese members.
This initiative strengthens the Group’s mission by fostering deeper connections, facilitating new business opportunities, and expanding bilateral collaboration across industries.Through its network, the 48 Group continues to facilitate access to strategic opportunities at the highest levels, ensuring that businesses and institutions can navigate the complexities of the Chinese market with the credibility, trust, and relationships built over decades. Its ongoing mission remains a testament to the strength of UK-China relations and the commitment to long-term, sustainable collaboration.
