Labour’s delayed China ‘audit’ could offer some clarity on the UK’s approach
“audit” Labour has suggested that some clarity on their approach will be provided through the delayed China , a cross-government exercise launched last year, which will review the UK’s relations with China..
The audit is due to be published this month, but many doubt that it will resolve matters.
“If we see a visit from Starmer to Beijing, that will be an indication that the two sides have actually agreed with something, and that they would like to change and improve their bilateral relationship,” > says Dr Yu.
But many people in Westminster remain China-sceptic.
And even if the audit helps Britain better define what it wants out of its relationship with China, the question remains, do MPs and businesses have the China-related expertise to get the best out of it?
According to Ruby Osman, China analyst at the Tony Blair Institute, there is an urgent need to build the UK’s China capabilities in a more holistic way, focusing on diversifying the UK’s points of contact with China.
“If we want to be in a position where we are not just listening to what Beijing and Washington want, there needs to be investment in the talent pipeline coming into government, but also think tanks and businesses who work with China,” > she argues.
And if that’s the case, then irrespective of whether closer ties with China is viewed as a security threat, an economic opportunity, or something in between, the UK might be in a better position to engage with the country.
Labour is cosying up to China after years of rollercoaster relations
Ankur Shah
The sprawling city of Chongqing in southwestern China is an incredible sight. Built on mountainous terrain and crisscrossed by rivers, it is connected by vast elevated roads..
Trains even run through some buildings.
TikTokers have begun documenting their commutes among the striking urban architecture of Chongqing
”[The city is] what happens if you take the planning department and just say ‘yes’ to everything,” > reflects Howard Dawber, deputy London mayor for business.
“It’s just amazing.”
The group travelled to southern Chinese cities, spoke to Chinese mayors and met Chinese tech giants.
So impressed was one deputy mayor that, on returning home, they bought a mobile phone from Chinese brand Honor (a stark contrast from the days the UK banned Huawei technology from its 5G networks, just a few years ago).
Roughly half-a-dozen deals were signed on the back of the trip.
The West Midlands, for example, agreed to establish a new UK headquarters in Birmingham for Chinese energy company EcoFlow.
“There was a real hunger and appetite to rekindle those relationships,” > says East Midlands deputy mayor Nadine Peatfield, who attended.
The course correction seemed to begin with the closed-door meeting between Sir Keir and Chinese President Xi in Brazil last November..
The prime minister signalled that Britain would look to cooperate with China on climate change and business.
“Choosing not to engage with China is no choice at all,” > said Chancellor Rachel Reeves, who claimed re-engagement with China could boost the UK economy by £1bn.
Soon after, Energy Secretary Ed Miliband resumed formal climate talks with China.
“It would be ‘negligence’ to future generations not to have dialogue with the country,” > said Miliband, given China is the world’s biggest carbon emitter.
“grown-up” Labour simply describes its approach as .
But it all appears to be a marked shift from the last decade of UK-China relations.
“long-term and strategic approach” Labour claimed in its manifesto that it would bring a ..
China has a near monopoly on extracting and refining rare earth minerals, which are critical to manufacturing many high-tech and green products.
“China’s influence is likely to continue to grow substantially globally, especially with the US starting to turn inwards,” > says Dr William Matthews, a China specialist at Chatham House think tank.
Andrew Cainey, a director of the UK National Committee on China, says: “China has changed a lot since the Covid-19 pandemic.
To have elected officials not having seen it, it’s a no brainer for them to get back on the ground”.
Charles Parton, who spent 22 years of his diplomatic career working in or on China, raises questions about the UK’s economic and national security.
“It wouldn’t be difficult in a time of high tension to say, ‘by the way, we can turn off all your wind farms’,” > warns Mr Parton about allowing China access to the national grid.
James Sullivan, director of Cyber and Tech at defence think tank Rusi, notes there are also some questions around cyberspace.
“China’s activities in cyberspace appear to be more strategically and politically focused compared to previous opportunistic activities,” > he says.
“sophisticated and persistent challenge” As for defence, the UK’s recently published defence review describes China as a .
“an all too compliant servant of Communist China” Last month, President Donald Trump’s trade advisor Peter Navarro described Britain as , urging the UK against deepening economic ties.
“When it comes to foreign policy towards China, America’s influence on policy will be quite substantive compared with say continental Europe,” > says Dr Yu Jie of China Foresight at LSE IDEAS think tank.
“linking it to security issues, so as not to impact the confidence of Chinese enterprises in going to the UK” China’s foreign ministry spokesperson, Lin Jian, warned that Labour should avoid .
“We will cooperate where we can, compete where we need to, and challenge where we must.” Labour’s manifesto broadly pledged:
“No.10 doesn’t have a strategy.” Asked about the British government’s longer-term strategy, Mr Parton replied:
“Go with your eyes open,” he advises..
“But have a clear idea of what needs protecting, and a willingness to take some short-term financial hits to protect long-term national security.”
Labour’s delayed China ‘audit’ could offer some clarity on the UK’s approach
“If we see a visit from Starmer to Beijing, that will be an indication that the two sides have actually agreed with something,” > says Dr Yu.
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