The Foreign Office has set out a clear policy of cautious engagement with Beijing, on the grounds of economic necessity and in the search for global solutions to problems like climate change and pandemics. That's not hard enough for many on the backbenches who want China officially designated as a threat, sanctions imposed on individuals and the country barred from an Artificial Intelligence conference being held in the UK this autumn. Quite a lot, according to several Conservative MPs who got up to call for a more robust approach to China in the Commons this afternoon.ĭeputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden did say the government was "clear about the threat that China poses" but the core position still appears to be that Beijing represents a "systemic challenge". How much difference is there between a challenge and a threat? I'll be discussing all of this and more with tonight's guests at 7pm - tune in or watch live here on the Politics Hub. The most important thing to come out of this story?Īnd what's the government going to do about it? So forget the row over who knew what when, and whether the parliamentary pass system should be looked at. Cars, clothes, computers.Īnd don't forget, we're in a cost of living crisis - with the economy almost certain to decide the next election. Well, last year our trade with China was worth £107bn. In the Tory leadership election, he described China as "the largest threat to Britain and the world's security and prosperity this century". Someone should tell the Rishi Sunak of 2022. It sounds rather like the word "threat" is banned.
Oliver Dowden in parliament said it's "a systematic challenge". Kemi Badenoch this morning: "I would describe China as a challenge." This is pretty clearly the approved line from Number 10. The government minister Alex Chalk spoke about the "epoch-defining threat" of China - and then immediately corrected himself - "challenge, if you'll forgive me". There was such a telling moment yesterday morning, on Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips.
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