The visit of British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly to China on August 30-31, 2023 marks a change not only in bilateral relations but also in the regional and global conjuncture. To recall, this was the first visit of a British senior diplomat to China in five years. Therefore, the following question comes to mind: “Is the UK changing its China strategy after five years?”
If we answer this question by looking at recent regional developments, we should say “yes”. Because while the United States of America (USA) was changing its China strategy, the UK could not be expected to stay behind. In fact, London has lagged behind Washington in its policies towards Beijing. For instance, despite the tensions with China over the last year, the US has managed to maintain a constructive dialogue with China. Washington lost much of its dialogue with Beijing after the visit of Nancy Pelosi, the Speaker of the US House of Representatives, to Taiwan last year, but managed to keep the channels of communication open afterwards.
Even after the “Spy Balloon” incident, the communication between Washington and Beijing continued. Nevertheless, the UK has failed to establish a healthy dialog with China over the past year. To give another example, while many European leaders and even US President Joe Biden had the opportunity to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping in person at the G20 Summit in Bali in November 2023, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak failed to meet with Xi despite requesting an appointment with him. This was interpreted as China closing the door to dialog with the UK.
Britain’s relations with China have experienced major ups and downs over the last 5 years. Over the past year, London has even pushed the whole of Europe to mobilize against Beijing. Former Foreign Secretary and Prime Minister Liz Truss has often said that Europe should prepare for Taiwan after the crisis in Ukraine. The war in Ukraine has multiplied Britain’s anti-Russian and anti-Chinese sentiment and the “Golden Age” of relations with China has come to a close. [1] Before taking office, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak had spoken of maintaining the “Golden Age” in relations with China and signaled that he would pursue a more moderate, prudent and balanced policy in bilateral relations However, as a result of US pressure, the UK was forced to maintain its hawkish stance towards China.
The continuation of the hawkish policies of the Truss era began to damage Britain’s Asia-Pacific policies and relations with China deteriorated further. It seems that Rishi’s government realized that it had made a mistake in its China strategy due to Washington’s misguidance. The fact that the United States can have a dialogue with China while the United Kingdom has bad relations with China means that Washington has overtaken London in the Asia-Pacific. Realizing this, the Rishi Government is looking for ways to return to moderate relations with China. In this context, Prime Minister Rishi has expressed his support for maintaining ever-growing economic ties with China . [2]
The idea of countering China is in fact a joint decision of the UK and the United States of America (USA). However, the US is in competition with the UK in the Asia-Pacific region. Therefore, it is in the US’s interest for the UK to err against China. The UK does not have a comprehensive China strategy. In its 87-page report, the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee stated that the UK “should publish a coordinated and holistic government approach” to China . [3]
Prime Minister Rishi is personally optimistic towards China. However, after he took office, Prime Minister Rishi was once again reminded of Britain’s global imperial ambitions and continued with the traditional foreign policy strategy. Broadly speaking, Rishi’s government has to confront China in the national interest of the British state. The Rishi Government can only add a nuance of “moderation” and “dialogue” to this struggle.
As a result, Prime Minister Rishi is trying to make the British state accept “China’s role in global affairs”. In this context, Rishi’s government takes a highly mercantilist approach, arguing that Cold War rhetoric should be avoided and engagement (dialogue) with Beijing should always be maintained. [4] The UK, acting together with the US on China, also needs diplomacy This is because China plays a major role in maintaining the global balance of power. Cleverly’s visit to Beijing can be interpreted as an indication that the UK recognizes this importance. Britain sees that only defense policies will be insufficient to stop China’s rise in global politics. Britain realizes that dialogue with China is the best solution.
[1] “Sunak Ends ‘Golden Era’ With China”, Euroactiv, https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/news/sunak-ends-golden-era-with-china/, (Erişim Tarihi: 11.09.2023).
[2] “Where Does Each Potential Prime Minister Stand on China?”, Beijing Britain, https://beijingtobritain.substack.com/p/where-does-each-potential-prime-minister, (Erişim Tarihi: 11.09.2023).
[3] “Britain’s Top Diplomat Cleverly Visits China to Stabilise Frayed Ties”, Al Jazeraa, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/8/30/britains-top-diplomat-cleverly-visits-china-to-stabilise-badly-frayed-ties, (Erişim Tarihi: 11.09.2023).
[4] Same place
