The UK and China: Next Steps

18 months on from the creation of the China Research Group, this paper takes stock of three key questions:

  1. What has changed in the past 18 months?

  2. What issues are likely to define our future relationship with China?

  3. What should the UK do now?

It looks ahead to the next year, identifying six broad directions in which we believe that the UK should seek to develop stronger domestic policies and international alliances:

  1. Develop and publish a UK-China strategy which sets out a clear framework for engagement, and adapt existing government structures to reflect China’s status as the ‘most significant geopolitical factor’ of the coming decade

  2. Invest in improving the UK’s understanding of China - its people, culture, language, and history to build a better foundation for a sustainable long-term relationship

  3. Improve oversight mechanisms for foreign interference in government, critical national infrastructure, and higher education

  4. Take steps to reconcile our domestic and international resilience strategies and re-evaluate supply chain dependence and Chinese involvement in critical and digital infrastructure

  5. Emphasise our commitment to human rights and the people of Hong Kong enshrined in the Joint Declaration

  6. Work with allies to coordinate action and policies, strengthen democratic alliances and reduce strategic dependence

Tom Tugendhat MP, chair of the China Research Group, said:

“The past 18 months have been a huge turning point for our understanding of China’s rise. More than ever, we need to spend more time studying the CCP’s power dynamics and China’s domestic challenges to understand how Beijing will look to shape the global stage.

But the evidence is mounting: Chairman Xi Jinping is presiding over an increasingly repressive and nationalistic China.

From universities to foreign interference, there are many steps we can take now to build the UK’s resilience in the face of a rising authoritarian power.

And we need to continue to find new ways of cooperating with our like-minded allies to strengthen the collective hand of democracies.

The rise of China presents a significant challenge to many of Britain’s national interests. As this paper sets out, the UK has much to do to prepare itself for this challenge.”

Former Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt MP said:

“'It has become accepted wisdom that we need to move to strategic competition with China rather than a new cold war...but what does that mean? 

Finding a way to live with China's growing power and influence in a way that is consistent with our security and values sits alongside climate change as one of the two big issues to be resolved this century, so this detailed research is very important.'

Former Foreign Secretary Lord Hague said:

“This report gives a helpful overview of recent developments in our relationship with China and demonstrates just how damaging Beijing’s “wolf warrior” diplomacy has been to the country’s reputation on the world stage.

“By uniting the world in condemnation of its human rights violations, the Chinese Communist Party has created an opportunity for the UK to work closer with our friends and allies across the globe in responding to Beijing’s increasingly combative approach.

“From reducing strategic dependence on China to strengthening democratic alliances, this report sets out a number of proposals worthy of consideration both here in the UK and across the West.”

For media, please email Julia Pamilih on julia@chinaresearchgroup.org.

UK-China strategyChina Research GroupPolicy paper