China In Context
Britain’s dilemma over China
Aug 29, 2023
Paul Hodges, Chairman of New Normal Consulting, discusses Britain's dilemma over China with host Duncan Bartlett. The podcast covers the evolving dynamics between the UK and China, the UK government's engagement with China and concerns over Hong Kong, the Labour Party's stance on China, the potential consequences of China's real estate bubble on international relations, and the UK's relationship with Taiwan and China.
14:33
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Quick takeaways
- The UK government is facing a dilemma in finding a balance between engaging with China and maintaining democratic values, given China's concerning actions in Hong Kong and Xinjiang.
- The opposition Labour Party in the UK has adopted a more hardline stance on China, calling for a full audit of relations regarding human rights, but faces challenges in balancing economic growth with values-based foreign policy.
Deep dives
Changes in China-UK Relationship
Over the past eight years, the relationship between China and the United Kingdom has undergone significant changes. President Xi Jinping's consolidation of power, the COVID outbreak, the crackdown on pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong, the treatment of the Uyghur minority in Xinjiang, and China's threatening behavior towards Taiwan have all influenced public opinion and media coverage. These negative stories about China have impacted politicians in London and other liberal democratic capitals. The UK government, led by Prime Minister Richie Sunak, faces challenges in finding a balance between engagement and maintaining democratic values in the face of China's actions.
