Foreign policy with China is starting to emerge as a crucial topic in the fiercely contested leadership campaign, and Beijing has urged candidates contending to be the next prime minister of Britain to avoid hyping up, what they term, a so-called ‘China threat.’
Rishi Sunak, a former finance minister, and Liz Truss, a rival competing for the top job, have both used aggressive words, presenting the United Kingdom as having to defend its values against “Chinese encroachment”.
In response to a question regarding Sunak’s remarks, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian stated that: Making reckless remarks about China, particularly hyping up the so-called “China menace,” cannot address one’s difficulties.
In a statement yesterday, Sunak asserted that China and its Communist Party were the “greatest menace to Britain and the security and prosperity of the world this century.”
If elected, he promised to “confront China,” which included closing Confucius Institutes in the UK that were supported by Beijing. The institutes have been seen as tactics of China to influence universities. However, Operators of the institute refuted those claims, claiming that their concentration is only on the Chinese language and culture.
To combat Chinese cyberthreats, Sunak also stated that he would create a group of “free nations” in the pattern of NATO. This initiative would require support from other governments who could be apprehensive of such a direct approach.
Recently, FBI and UK’s MI5 security service heads stated in a joint address, that the Chinese Communist Party provides their “biggest game-changing threat,” which has led to an increased convergence between the UK and the US on China.
Sunak’s stance on China has been portrayed by Truss, a China hawk in the Conservative Party, as a turnaround. On Monday, Truss cited that Sunak advocated for a “mature and balanced relationship” with Beijing when addressed as chancellor last year.
On Monday, during their first face-to-face debate, Truss argued that the UK should restrict technology exports to “authoritarian regimes.” she also added that it should tighten down on businesses like TikTok and other Chinese-run applications.
Both candidates are attempting to improve their reputations among Conservative Party members who will vote for one of them between next month and early September.
After a winner is announced on September 5, it is still unknown how the final victor would approach statements regarding China policy and commercial relations.
Read More:https://www.foxnews.com/world/uk-spy-chief-russia-china-partnership-insists-west-advantages
