As prime minister, Liz Truss will label China a “threat” to national security and accord Beijing the same standing as Vladimir Putin’s Russia.
If she becomes prime minister, Liz Truss will label China a “threat” to national security.
The frontrunner for the Tory leadership is prepared to accord Beijing the same standing as Russia.
As Boris Johnson’s replacement, she has committed to reform British foreign policy.
It has come to light that if she becomes prime minister next week, Liz Truss will label China a “threat” to national security.
As part of a rethinking of Britain’s foreign policy, the frontrunner for the Tory leadership is prepared to provide China a status comparable to that of Russia, should she enter Downing Street.
Russia was classified as a “acute threat” to UK security in the “integrated review” conducted last year.
It has been suggested that if she succeeds Boris Johnson, Ms. Truss will classify China in the same manner.
Her supporters praised the Foreign Secretary’s decision to emphasize on the threat posed by Beijing.
Some of China’s sharpest critics in the House of Commons, such as former Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith and chair of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee Tom Tugendhat, are supporting her leadership bid.
Lord Ricketts, a former national security adviser, argued that a more ‘nuanced’ approach to China was required, in contrast to Britain’s approach to Russia.
As part of a rethinking of Britain’s foreign policy, Liz Truss is prepared to grant China a status comparable to Russia, should she enter Downing Street.
It was reported last month that Ms. Truss’s competitor for the Conservative leadership, Rishi Sunak, was close to negotiating a new economic accord with China when he was chancellor.
According to The Times, Ms. Truss’s harder stance toward China is part of a move to restrict Treasury efforts to strengthen economic collaboration with Beijing.
Rishi Sunak, Ms. Truss’s competitor for the Tory leadership, allegedly came close to signing a new economic accord with China while he was chancellor.
During her campaign for prime minister, Ms. Truss has already pledged to revise last year’s integrated assessment with a fresh focus on China and Russia.
A Truss campaign insider told the newspaper, “Since becoming foreign secretary, Liz has hardened the United Kingdom’s attitude on Beijing, and she will continue to take a robust stance as prime minister.”
She has worked with the G7 and other partners to mobilize investment in low- and middle-income nations as a counter to China’s Belt and Road plan.
In the 2021 comprehensive review of the United Kingdom’s security, defence, development, and foreign policy, Russia was identified as “our security’s gravest threat.”
In contrast, China was portrayed as a “systemic threat” to the security, prosperity, and values of the United Kingdom.
The review continued, “We will continue to pursue a favorable trade and investment partnership with China while protecting our national security and principles.”
Additionally, we will work with China to address global issues like as climate change.
Her supporters praised the Foreign Secretary’s decision to emphasize on the threat posed by Beijing.
During his tenure as prime minister, David Cameron hailed the 2015 state visit to London by Chinese President Xi Jinping as the beginning of a “golden age” in bilateral relations.
Minister of the Northern Ireland Office and supporter of Ms. Truss Conor Burns stated that reclassifying China as a ‘threat’ was ‘the right thing to say’
Last night on BBC Radio 4’s Westminster Hour, he stated, “I believe it’s indicative of Liz that she speaks her mind.”
This was my consistent impression of her at the Department of International Trade.
She did not rush to negotiate commercial agreements or declare a “golden age” of relations with China while she was in China.
She was really abrasive and obstinate.
Lord Ricketts, though, cautioned that a more “nuanced” approach was required, despite his agreement that Beijing constituted “the main challenge for the next generation.”
The crossbench peer, who formerly served as David Cameron’s national security adviser in Downing Street, stated, “China is the greatest threat to the next generation.” Russia is the immediate short-term crisis. However, it is appropriate to focus on China.
We must preserve a capacity for commerce with what is, after all, one of the world’s largest and most robust markets, while still being extremely watchful on security and strict on human rights.
Therefore, it is a difficult mixture that we must assemble. I’m not sure that naming it a threat is the most sophisticated approach.
However, Ms. Truss is entirely justified in focusing on China as a major issue.
During his tenure as prime minister, David Cameron hailed the 2015 state visit to London by Chinese President Xi Jinping as the beginning of a “golden age” in bilateral relations.