Why Western Leaders Flock to Beijing
Decoupling from China is economically unfeasible, encircling China is politically unsustainable, and excluding China from global governance is functionally impossible.
Decoupling from China is economically unfeasible, encircling China is politically unsustainable, and excluding China from global governance is functionally impossible.
Prime Minister Starmer’s visit to China reflects a clearer alignment between Britain’s foreign policy objectives and its economic realities, as well as recognizes the limits of ideological framing in a complex global environment.
China and the U.K. need to see history from a broader perspective, rise above differences, respect each other, and turn the vast potential of China-U.K. cooperation into real progress.
China and the EU are now each other’s most critical trade partners, with highly complementary economies and intertwined interests. Businesses from both sides continue to ramp up investments in each other’s markets.
The ‘America first’ approach of the U.S. president risks giving rise to a ‘global first’ trend under which countries will look for alternative markets.
We need to try to find platforms and mechanisms to work together to enable people to have open, constructive, and frank dialogues with each other.
Trump’s transactional approach to diplomacy is well known, and his willingness to sacrifice allies for short-term gains should serve as a warning to the UK.
Mainstream and social media are coopted in the cause of public diplomacy to turn global opinion against China through a mix of innuendo, partial truth, untruths and disputed facts.
The rapprochement in UK-China relations should be regarded as a welcome development in an increasingly tumultuous global environment.
If this new Labour government is to demonstrate its maturity and capability after years of juvenility and naivety, then resetting its relations with China is imperative.
British people from all walks of life and backgrounds have been increasingly taking Chinese New Year to their hearts. It has become part of our culture and calendar.