Nathan Law, a Hong Kong activist in exile, debates alongside Alan Mendoza of The Henry Jackson Society about viewing China as an adversary. They argue that rising tensions and human rights abuses necessitate a tougher stance from the West. Opposing them, Shirley Yu, a China-Africa Initiative director, and former Liberal Democrat leader Vince Cable advocate for continued engagement, emphasizing diplomacy over confrontation. The discussion dives into pressing issues like human rights violations and the shifting geopolitical landscape, stressing the need for a balanced approach.
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Suppression of Dissent
Nathan Law recounts his imprisonment for peaceful assembly in Hong Kong.
He highlights the Uyghur scholar Ilham Tohti's life sentence for promoting reconciliation, demonstrating China's intolerance.
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Partnership Requires Shared Values
Nathan Law questions whether China, under the CCP, can be a trusted partner given its oppressive tactics.
He argues that true partnership requires shared values and respect for human rights, which China lacks.
insights INSIGHT
China's Totalitarian State
Nathan Law describes China's advanced surveillance state as exceeding Orwell's 1984.
He warns about the CCP's intent to dismantle democratic values, evident in Document Number 9.
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In 'The Chinese Conundrum', Vince Cable examines the historical and contemporary interactions between China and the West, focusing on economic and geopolitical shifts. The book delves into whether the West can learn from past mistakes to engage effectively with China or if a new Cold War is emerging. It provides a comprehensive analysis of China's economic rise and its implications for global politics.
We are in a second Cold War with China. That’s the conclusion many experts have come to as they observe China’s increasingly aggressive behaviour beyond its borders – its suppression of democracy in Hong Kong, its sabre-rattling towards Taiwan, the vast espionage offensive against the West’s technology, not to mention the confrontational tone of its new ‘wolf warrior’ diplomacy. That’s the argument of the China hawks, but not everyone agrees. Some believe that coexistence with China, not confrontation, should be the West’s goal. After all, allowing tensions to escalate to an actual war is too horrific to contemplate. We should put our faith in diplomacy and work to persuade the Chinese leadership that it is in their best interests to cooperate within the existing world order, instead of trying to dominate it. So how should the West respond? Arguing for the motion were Nathan Law, Hong Kong activist and former legislator, currently in exile; and Alan Mendoza, Co-Founder and Executive Director of The Henry Jackson Society. Arguing against the motion were Shirley Yu, Professor and Director of the China-Africa Initiative at the London School of Economics; and Vince Cable, former Leader of the Liberal Democrats and author of The China Conundrum. The debate was chaired by Manveen Rana, Senior investigative journalist and host of The Times and Sunday Times flagship podcast Stories of Our Times.
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