During his first major foreign policy speech in London on November 28, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak outlined his government’s foreign policy orientation, where the highlight was China. He commented that the “golden era between Britain and China is now over” and added that “China poses a systematic challenge to our (UK’s) values and interests”.[1] Speaking further he said, “We are taking a long-term view on China strengthening our resilience and protecting our economic security”. He even outlined the malicious intentions of China which included all kind of state-led efforts to expand its global influence and warned that “short-termism” or “wishful thinking” will not suffice. According to Sunak, Britain can no longer depend on Cold War approaches of sentimentality and hence evolved approaches of defending the moral values and the openness are the need of the hour.[2]
The ‘golden era’ of the Britain-China relations refers to the softer and cooperative relationship between the two countries during the prime ministership of David Cameron and later Theresa May between 2015-2019. They had made significant efforts for the enhancement of economic ties and larger investments from China. This wooing of China culminated in Xi Jinping’s much publicised visit to UK in 2015, when he visited London and Manchester.[3] During this visit almost 100 agreements were signed which ranged from huge trade deals worth billions of pounds, nuclear power station investments and cyber security pact where China promised that it will not be using cyber espionage for stealing commercial secrets from Britain.[4]
However, that fairy tale period of UK-China ties is now over. China’s pursuit of an aggressive foreign policy as seen from its threatening posture with neighbours, its reckless actions in Hong Kong, and repression in Tibet and Xinjiang, have only crystalised Britain’s threat perception. China’s recent actions have further contributed to hardening UK’s stance. Beijing’s ‘wolf diplomacy’ too has taken its toll. Just three months ago on October 17, a pro-democracy protestor protesting outside Chinese Consulate in Manchester was dragged inside the compound and beaten up by the Chinese diplomats including the Consul General Zheng Xiyuan. Demonstrators had gathered outside the diplomatic compound protesting against the 20th Party Congress of the Chinese Communist Party and authoritarian policies of Xi.[5] Besides, during the recent anti-lockdown protests in China, authorities beat up a BBC journalist on November 28covering the protests and even took him into custody. These developments have considerably irritated the UK. Sunak even expressed his support for the protestors and criticised Beijing’s heavy crackdown.[6]
Moreover, there are concerns in London whether to allow the Chinese companies which are interested to invest in Britain for critical infrastructure due to the security implications.[7] Previously, the UK has encountered a bitter experience with Chinese telecom companies. In 2020, the National Cyber Security Centre had discovered a ‘nationally significant’ vulnerability in the Huawei telecom equipment installed in the UK.[8] That had reinforced the British concerns, forcing the government to impose an early ban on installing Huawei equipment in the country’s 5G network.[9] The government then also approved the National Infrastructure and Investment Act, which scrutinises foreign investment in the UK, notably from China.[10] Sunak has certainly learnt from this experience when during his speech he criticised the “naïve” belief that trade would lead to social and political reforms in China.[11]
Sunak’s approach to China carries from his leadership campaign from the Summer where he had projected himself as a harsh critic of China identifying that country as the “biggest long-term threat”.[12] Another reason behind his tough stance towards China is the pressure he faces from the vocal wing of the Conservative Party members who have constantly advocated a tougher approach towards China. [13]
In addition, Sunak is actively pushing for blocking the Chinese takeover of UK’s microchip industry. Last year, Britain’s largest chip factory Newport Wafer Fab in Wales was acquired by the Nexperia, a subsidiary of Shanghai based Wingtech holdings. Taking a strategic view of the sector, the British government on November 16, asked Nexperia to sell its 86% shares.[14] UK’s actions assumed significance in the backdrop of the global shortfall of chips and the United States’ efforts to block the Chinese companies from accessing global semiconductor ecosystem. Many western companies have been forced to terminate manufacturing deals with Chinese chipmakers, including Alibaba and Biren Technology.[15]
Simultaneously, Sunak is deepening Britain’s ties with the Indo-Pacific and European countries. He has given a green signal to join the trans-Pacific trade deal. Besides, he has expressed interest in activating the AUKUS security pact with Australia and the US and plans to work on the development of fighter jets with Japan and Italy in the future.[16]
Looking at these developments, it is clear that Britain is padding up to face the ‘China Challenge’. Sunak seems determined to work on ensuring the economic security of the country as well as naming and shaming the aggressive Chinese behaviour. The push from the Conservative Party faction is also a catalyst for his tougher stance. These developments are certain to rattle Beijing but whether they will alter its intransigent attitude is not yet clear.
[1] PM speech to the Lord Mayor’s Banquet: 28 November 2022 – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
[2] PM speech to the Lord Mayor’s Banquet: 28 November 2022 – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
[3] Rishi Sunak says UK must ‘evolve’ China foreign policy in face of ‘systemic challenge’ | South China Morning Post (scmp.com)
[4] Chinese Press Lavishes Attention on Xi Visit to U.K. | Fortune
[5] Hong Kong protester dragged into Manchester Chinese consulate grounds and beaten up – BBC News
[6] Rishi Sunak signals end of ‘golden era’ of relations between Britain and China | Rishi Sunak | The Guardian
[7] Sunak vows to engage with China but consigns ‘golden era’ to the history books – POLITICO
[8] https://news.sky.com/story/gchq-discovered-nationally-significant-vulnerability-in-huawei-equipment-12086688
[9] https://www.bbc.com/news/business-55124236
[10] https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/2801
[11] Sunak vows to engage with China but consigns ‘golden era’ to the history books – POLITICO
[12] Why is Rishi Sunak cosying up to China – and will it make a difference? (telegraph.co.uk)
[13] UK PM Rishi Sunak says the ‘golden era’ for Britain and China is over (cnbc.com)
[14] Chinese ownership of Newport microchip plant a ‘security risk’ – BBC News
[15] https://www.theregister.com/2022/12/30/newport_nexperia_china/[16]Rishi Sunak says UK must ‘evolve’ China foreign policy in face of ‘systemic challenge’ | South China Morning Post (scmp.com)
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