The UK government has published a review of UK-China relations, urging a ‘diplomatic rapprochement’ between the two countries. The review, which was commissioned by Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, was led by former Conservative Party leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith. It finds that while the UK’s relationship with China has ‘some positive elements’, it is ‘fundamentally imbalanced’ and that China poses a significant threat to the UK’s national security..
The review calls for a ‘new approach’ to UK-China relations, which would involve engaging with China on issues of mutual interest, such as climate change and trade, while also being ‘clear-eyed’ about the threats that China poses. It recommends that the UK should work with its allies to develop a ‘common strategy’ towards China, and that it should use its ‘convening power’ to bring together countries that share its concerns about China..
The review also calls for the UK to invest in its own capabilities to counter China’s growing military and technological power. It recommends that the UK should increase its defense spending, develop new technologies, and strengthen its alliances with countries in the Indo-Pacific region..
The review’s publication comes at a time of heightened tensions between the UK and China. In recent months, the two countries have clashed over Hong Kong, Xinjiang, and the COVID-19 pandemic. The UK has also joined other countries in criticizing China’s human rights record..
The UK government has welcomed the review’s findings and said that it will ‘carefully consider’ its recommendations. However, the review is likely to be controversial, with some critics arguing that it is too confrontational and that it will damage UK-China relations..
The review’s findings are a reminder of the complex and challenging nature of UK-China relations. The UK needs to find a way to engage with China on issues of mutual interest, while also protecting its own national security. The review provides a useful starting point for this difficult task..
Here are some of the key findings of the review:.
* The UK’s relationship with China is ‘fundamentally imbalanced’ and ‘China poses a significant threat to the UK’s national security’..
* The UK should adopt a ‘new approach’ to UK-China relations, which would involve engaging with China on issues of mutual interest while also being ‘clear-eyed’ about the threats that China poses..
* The UK should work with its allies to develop a ‘common strategy’ towards China, and it should use its ‘convening power’ to bring together countries that share its concerns about China..
* The UK should invest in its own capabilities to counter China’s growing military and technological power..
The review’s publication is a significant development in UK-China relations. It is likely to be controversial, but it provides a useful starting point for the UK government as it seeks to develop a new approach to its relationship with China..
