Key Takeaways
- The UK Prime Minister, Sir Keir, has rejected the idea of treating China as an enemy, instead advocating for a careful relationship to bolster the UK’s international position and secure national interests.
- China poses national security threats, which the UK must acknowledge and address through strength, clarity, and realism.
- The UK will not compromise on security, but will cooperate with China in areas such as financial services, creative industries, and pharmaceuticals.
- The Chinese government has been accused of espionage, with security services warning of LinkedIn profiles being used to target individuals in British politics.
- A new Chinese embassy in London has raised concerns about espionage and data security.
Introduction to Sir Keir’s Speech
Sir Keir’s speech in the City of London marked a significant shift in the UK’s approach to its relationship with China. Rejecting the "isolationism" put forward by opponents of the Chinese government, Sir Keir argued that failing to navigate a relationship with China would be "a dereliction of duty". China is a "defining force in technology, trade and global governance", and building a careful relationship with the country would instead bolster the UK’s place as a leader on the international stage and help secure UK national interests.
National Security Threats
However, Sir Keir also acknowledged the "reality" that China "poses national security threats". These threats were highlighted earlier this month, when security services issued a warning about two LinkedIn profiles being used by the Chinese Ministry of State Security (MSS) to target individuals working in British politics. The profiles, set up with the names Amanda Qiu and Shirly Shen, were being used to recruit individuals at scale, including economists and think tank employees as well as people in Parliament. A Chinese Embassy spokesperson denied the accusations of espionage, calling them "pure fabrication" that were "undermining China-UK relations".
The New Chinese Embassy
Fears of espionage have also been raised around a huge new Chinese embassy, which would be the biggest in Europe, sitting on a site at Royal Mint Court, close to the City of London and fibre optic cables carrying vast quantities of highly sensitive data. Housing Secretary Steve Reed has the final say on the plans and is expected to give the green light, following consultation with MI5 and MI6, in a decision opposed by Conservatives and Liberal Democrats. The new embassy has raised concerns about the potential for espionage and data security, with many questioning the wisdom of allowing the Chinese government to establish such a large presence in the heart of London.
Balancing Security and Economic Access
At the speech in London’s Guildhall, Sir Keir insisted that there would be no "trade-off" between security and economic access with China. Appearing to rule out trade on areas of defence, AI or critical national infrastructure, Sir Keir said that "protecting our security is non-negotiable – our first duty". However, by taking tough steps to keep the UK secure, the country would enable itself to cooperate with China in other areas, such as financial and professional services, creative industries, pharmaceuticals, and luxury goods. These areas are "Great British success stories – the export opportunities are huge and we will back you to seize them", Sir Keir said.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Sir Keir’s speech marked a significant shift in the UK’s approach to its relationship with China. By rejecting isolationism and advocating for a careful relationship, the UK can bolster its international position and secure national interests, while also acknowledging and addressing the national security threats posed by China. The UK will not compromise on security, but will cooperate with China in areas where it is safe to do so, such as financial services and creative industries. As the UK navigates its complex relationship with China, it must balance the need for economic access with the need to protect national security, and ensure that the country is not compromised by the risks associated with dealing with the Chinese government.
