Prime Minister Rishi Sunak declares UK's "golden era" with China over
WORLD 30 November 2022 - 06:32
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has made a clear break with the past on UK-China relations as he declared that the "so-called golden era" of bilateral ties is over in the face of the "systemic challenge" posed by the Chinese regime to British values and interests.
In his first major foreign policy speech at the Lord Mayor of London's Banquet on Monday night, the British Indian leader said he wants to "evolve" the UK's approach towards one of Asia's largest economies as he criticised the country's human rights record, The Telegraph India reported on November 29.
However, he did acknowledge that the UK "cannot simply ignore China's significance in world affairs" and therefore his approach would be one of "robust pragmatism" taking a "longer-term view".
"Let's be clear, the so-called golden era' is over, along with the nave idea that trade would lead to social and political reform," said Sunak, with reference to the phrase coined during the David Cameron-led Conservative Party government around seven years ago.
"But nor should we rely on simplistic Cold War rhetoric. We recognise China poses a systemic challenge to our values and interests, a challenge that grows more acute as it moves towards even greater authoritarianism," he said.
Sunak was critical of China's handling of the ongoing anti-lockdown protests in the country and the arrest and beating of a BBC journalist over the weekend, saying instead of listening to people's concerns, the government "has chosen to crack down further".
"The media and our parliamentarians must be able to highlight these issues without sanction, including calling out abuses in Xinjiang and the curtailment of freedom in Hong Kong," he said.
"Of course, we cannot simply ignore China's significance in world affairs to global economic stability or issues like climate change. The US, Canada, Australia, Japan and many others understand this too. So together we'll manage this sharpening competition, including with diplomacy and engagement," he added.
The 42-year-old former chancellor, who took charge at 10 Downing Street last month, had faced some criticism over the course of the Conservative Party leadership election back in August for being too soft on his approach towards China.
It would seem his first major foreign policy speech was intended to quash any such perception. It comes soon after a proposed meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Indonesia earlier this month, had to be cancelled in favour of an emergency meeting of North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) members over developments in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
"China is conspicuously competing for global influence using all the levers of state power. In the face of these challenges, short-termism or wishful thinking will not suffice," said Sunak.
"We can't depend on Cold War arguments or approaches, or mere sentimentality about our past. So we will make an evolutionary leap in our approach," he declared.China is engaged in hotly contested territorial disputes in the South and East China Seas. Beijing has also made substantial progress in militarising its man-made islands in the past few years.
Beijing claims sovereignty over all of the South China Sea. But Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines, Brunei and Taiwan have counterclaims. In the East China Sea, China has territorial disputes with Japan.
Sunak's speech confirmed an updated Integrated Review' that would take this approach into account and also strengthen partnerships with like-minded allies around the world, including India and the Commonwealth.
"By 2050, the Indo-Pacific will deliver over half of global growth compared with just a quarter from Europe and North America combined. That's why we're joining the Trans-Pacific trade deal, the CPTPP, delivering a new FTA [free trade agreement] with India and pursuing one with Indonesia," he said.
Caliber.Az
1
|
Azerbaijan's diplomatic masterstroke: Return of occupied villages marks strategic achievement New geopolitical reality
21 April 2024 - 11:43
|
2
|
Armenia returns four villages to Azerbaijan, paving the way for peace in the South Caucasus Landmark accord
23 April 2024 - 09:14
|
3
|
Early Russian withdrawal from Karabakh: how has Azerbaijan’s ‘calculated risk’ strategy paid off? Contemplations with Orkhan Amashov
21 April 2024 - 10:03
|
4
|
Armenian PM's Moscow visit sparks speculation on bilateral relations Dilemma between East, West
23 April 2024 - 11:19
|
5
|
Diplomatic World Sweden shines light on Azerbaijan's landmine challenge That hinders reconstruction
21 April 2024 - 13:24
|
"Peoples of South Caucasus should resolve their differences independently"
Foreign analysts on Caliber.Az24 April 2024 - 17:40
HAMAS holding hostage 30 high-ranking Israeli security forces members
24 April 2024 - 17:38
Top 100 fastest-growing FDI destinations
Baku ranks 3rd24 April 2024 - 17:30
Argentina asks Interpol to arrest Iranian minister over attack
24 April 2024 - 17:23
Russia urges Armenia to clarify National Assembly president’s speech
Following scandalous statements24 April 2024 - 17:19
Three signs US could be heading for recession
Expert analysis24 April 2024 - 17:08
Mark Rutte seeks Türkiye's backing for new job
A new pair of hands24 April 2024 - 16:55
Israel gears up for Rafah civilian evacuation ahead of promised assault
24 April 2024 - 16:49
UK to deploy its Typhoon fighter jets to Poland in 2025
24 April 2024 - 16:32
Taliban to create special unit to fight Islamic State
24 April 2024 - 16:18
Assessing Pashinyan's statements on normalizing relations with Baku
Armenia's political shift24 April 2024 - 16:15
Argentina asks Interpol to arrest Iran minister over 1994 Jewish centre bombing
24 April 2024 - 16:01
Azerbaijani official highlights unique opportunity for Baku, Yerevan to achieve peace
Interview with BBC24 April 2024 - 15:57
Presidential envoy: Lachin has great potential in renewable energy sources
24 April 2024 - 15:45
Turkish Armed Forces continue to destroy terrorists in Syria
VIDEO24 April 2024 - 15:31
"NATO base in the South Caucasus will cause uncontrollable processes"
Israeli analyst on Caliber.Az24 April 2024 - 15:28
Armenian pundit advocates for coexistence formula with Azerbaijan to preserve statehood
24 April 2024 - 15:18
German opposition urges UK’s PM to pressure German Chancellor
24 April 2024 - 15:07
US has no immediate plan to sanction Chinese banks over Russia
24 April 2024 - 14:52
Türkiye, Iraq, UAE, Qatar agree on “Development Path” project
24 April 2024 - 14:37
Azerbaijan's "white gold"
Cotton market rebounds24 April 2024 - 14:28
White House knows that global south has a point
24 April 2024 - 14:22
Bilateral relations, regional dynamics, & peacekeepers’ withdrawal
Key takeaways from President Aliyev's Moscow visit24 April 2024 - 14:07
Azerbaijan sends humanitarian aid to Kazakhstan amidst flooding crisis
24 April 2024 - 13:52
Russia may shift target set to hit Ukrainian transportation infrastructure
Institute for Study of War’s analysis24 April 2024 - 13:37
Azerbaijani Navy, Emergencies Ministry hold exercises in Caspian Sea
PHOTO24 April 2024 - 13:27
Lawyer stresses importance of Azerbaijani-Armenian border delimitation for sovereignty
24 April 2024 - 13:22
Azerbaijan, Russia’s Bashkortostan strengthening trade ties
24 April 2024 - 13:07
Lachin checkpoint: A symbol of Azerbaijan's commitment to peace and stability
A year on24 April 2024 - 13:04
European Parliament involved in several scandals
24 April 2024 - 12:52
German climate envoy expects “difficult discussions” on COP29 at upcoming minister meeting
24 April 2024 - 12:37
Armenian Church's involvement in border disputes
Challenges to peace24 April 2024 - 12:30
World think tank reps visit Azerbaijan’s Karabakh
24 April 2024 - 12:22
US Secret Service prepares for if Trump jailed for contempt in hush money case
24 April 2024 - 12:07
Egypt denies discussing Rafah invasion with Israel
24 April 2024 - 11:52
Azerbaijan holds official welcome ceremony for President of Kyrgyzstan
24 April 2024 - 11:40
US billionaire warns about civil war in West
24 April 2024 - 11:37
Armenian church accused of provoking conflict with Azerbaijan
24 April 2024 - 11:25
Rockets launched at Margaliot in northern Israel
Hezbollah claims responsibility24 April 2024 - 11:22
President of Kyrgyzstan visits Azerbaijan
24 April 2024 - 11:19