As the UK seeks to repair its strained relationship with China, Foreign Secretary James Cleverly is set to make a diplomatic visit to Beijing, marking the most senior British visit to China in six years. Over the past few years, tensions between the two nations have escalated due to various reasons, including the crackdown on democracy activists in Hong Kong and the global impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. However, with the Biden administration working to mend ties with China, there is now a window of opportunity for the UK to improve relations. Cleverly's trip indicates Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's desire to seize this opportunity, despite pressure from his own party and opposition leaders to adopt a tougher stance on China ahead of the upcoming general election.
The potential benefits of improving economic ties between the UK and China are significant. Both nations are looking to reignite their sluggish economies, and China was the UK's second-largest individual trading partner last year after the US, with a trade volume of $132.3 billion. Beijing is also eager to restore confidence among foreign investors who may be apprehensive due to regulatory changes, geopolitical tensions, and the opacity surrounding Chinese politics. The UK, on the other hand, aims to demonstrate its commitment to the Asia-Pacific region ahead of Sunak's anticipated presence at the Group of 20 summit in New Delhi next month.
During his visit, Cleverly will focus on security matters, including concerns about potential weapons supplies aiding Russia's involvement in Ukraine. He will meet with his counterpart Wang Yi and Vice President Han Zheng, with plans to address issues such as human rights violations in Xinjiang and Tibet, as well as the erosion of autonomy, rights, and freedoms in Hong Kong. Cleverly's nuanced approach towards China aligns with the sentiments expressed by Biden's commerce secretary, Gina Raimondo, who stressed the importance of maintaining a stable economic relationship between the US and China.
A successful visit by Cleverly could pave the way for the first one-on-one meeting between Sunak and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the G-20 summit. Previous attempts to arrange such a meeting were thwarted due to various circumstances, and Sunak remains the only leader from the Group of Seven countries who is yet to have a face-to-face meeting with President Xi since China lifted its Covid-19 restrictions.
However, it is important to manage expectations for significant announcements during Cleverly's visit. The recent history of detentes between President Biden and President Xi has been turbulent, with tensions resurfacing even after apparent agreements. Cleverly's trip was delayed due to the sudden replacement of China's foreign minister, and there have been ongoing tensions between the UK and Beijing, such as Hong Kong's issuance of bounties on fugitive activists and China's accusations of the UK failing to meet its diplomatic obligations.
Despite these challenges, it is clear that the UK needs a well-conceived strategy towards China to clearly define its desired relationship with the country. Engagement with China is crucial, even without a defined strategy in place. As tensions between London and Beijing continue, it is essential to find common ground and address these issues through dialogue while ensuring the UK's interests and values are upheld.
While the UK may have been slow to engage with China during the post-pandemic era, Beijing would still welcome any efforts to counter what they perceive as US attempts to contain China's influence. European countries, including the UK, have been urging the Biden administration to adopt a more moderate approach and tone down the rhetoric surrounding decoupling from China. The recent shift in language to focus on "de-risking" and the limited scope of the planned executive order to curb US investment in Chinese technology companies indicates a potential change in approach. The UK has also signaled its intention to consider similar measures to limit local investment in certain Chinese advanced technology companies.
In conclusion, the UK's visit to China presents an opportunity to mend strained relations and capitalize on the warming relations between the US and China. It is crucial for both countries to engage in diplomacy, find common ground, and address contentious issues constructively, while still upholding their respective interests and values in the process.