3 factors that will shape Britain’s China policy under Labour
Between the Conservative Party taking power in 2010 and its heavy defeat in the general election this month, British foreign policy went through several twists and turns. The early part of the 2010s were deemed a “golden era” in Sino-British relations, with Britain welcoming a growing number of Chinese students to its universities and rising levels of bilateral trade and investment.
Subsequent years saw relations experience a downturn, however. Part of the reason for this was the UK’s “special relationship” with the US and their shared values. This period included pressure on the Conservative government to roll back its engagement with China, particularly on issues of British carriers using Chinese 5G technology (seen as a means of espionage).
Further adding to concerns about Chinese influence in the UK were reports of Chinese espionage and British universities being too reliant on fees from Chinese students and Chinese funding for grants and joint projects, the latter raising fears about self-censorship and an erosion of academic freedom.
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China says UK has 'poisoned' Sino-British relationship over Hong Kong and Huawei
China says UK has 'poisoned' Sino-British relationship over Hong Kong and Huawei
David Lammy, the new foreign secretary, has outlined his plans and promised a “full audit” of Britain’s relations with China. He has also vowed that Britain will take a more consistent approach to Sino-British relations, even if it means having hard conversations with an important trade partner.
This appears to indicate that Britain’s foreign policy might not change all that much and the start of Lammy’s tenure will set the tone for the rest of the government’s term. But this is subject to many outside factors.
While charting his case for “progressive realism”, Lammy has noted that Britain’s relationship with China will require competition in some areas but also cooperation on certain important issues, such as healthcare, artificial intelligence and climate change. For example, almost immediately after assuming his new role, Lammy cautioned China against becoming embroiled in Russia’s attack on Ukraine, making one of the new Labour government’s first acts on China one of engagement and confrontation.
There are also expectations that Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government will press China on better treatment of citizens who moved from Hong Kong to the UK under the British National (Overseas) scheme. Those who relocated to the UK have been unable to access their Mandatory Provident Fund pensions after mainland and Hong Kong authorities invalidated the BN(O) passport as a proof of identity.
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Hong Kong families find fresh start in London
Hong Kong families find fresh start in London
Regardless, there are several factors that the new Labour-led government will have to contend with when trying to shape its approach to foreign policy. The British economy is in a precarious situation amid crises in a wide range of sectors including healthcare, housing, education, cost of living, energy and more.
The incoming Labour government has pledged to bring back growth without further burdening its citizens, but that must be accompanied by economic investment – an area where China’s deep pockets are an important factor for Britain’s aspirations.
However, the UK must balance its desire for growth and economic recovery with the need to avoid compromising its own internal security and its ideals. Several British citizens have been charged with spying for China in recent years, with reports suggesting an estimated 20,000 British citizens have been approached by Chinese agencies on LinkedIn to spy for Beijing.
Meanwhile, the UK uses a significant amount of Chinese technology such as surveillance cameras and police body cameras, which China could use to extract data about British security issues. Some British carriers have been slow to move away from using affordable technology from Chinese companies such as Huawei despite a government mandate to do so.
People walk past an advertisement promoting a 5G data network at a mobile phone store in London. British carriers face a 2027 deadline to remove all Huawei technology from their 5G networks. Photo: Reuters
Finally, the US plays a significant role in shaping British foreign policy towards China. If the US chooses to ramp up its competition with China, Britain will have to balance its ties with the two superpowers while also ensuring its own interests are protected. Under Lammy’s progressive realist approach, this could mean more criticism of China’s human rights practices while also working to create further investment opportunities with China to ensure growth for Britain.
The results of Lammy’s audit of British policy towards China will tell us the steps the government intend to take in its approach. Regardless of what it finds, the state of the British economy, US influence on British policy and tension between the desire for growth and upholding British values will continue to play key roles in its policy.
Mohammed Sinan Siyech is a doctoral candidate at the Islamic and Middle East Studies Department at the University of Edinburgh and a non-resident associate fellow at the Observer Research Foundation, New Delhi
