Britain is cosying up to China despite Communist Party being threat to UK interests, MPs warn
BRITAIN is cosying up to communist China without a proper game plan, MPs warned last night.
Ministers and civil servants were shifting focus from the Middle East towards the Indo-Pacific without a coherent strategy, the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee said.
Committee chair Alicia Kearns claimed it was causing confusion.
She said: “For many years, the Foreign Affairs Committee has advocated the need to balance economic cooperation with caution in the UK’s dealings with China.
“Recent Foreign Office announcements indicate that ministers are listening to the Committee.
“However, there is still too much unsaid.
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“The confidential, elusive China strategy is buried deep in Whitehall, kept hidden even from senior Ministers across the Government.”
The committee said it viewed the Chinese Communist Party as a threat to British interests.
Foreign Secretary James Cleverly flies to Beijing today to try to boost ties.
Last night he said not engaging with China would be seen as a sign of weakness, not strength.
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His visit will be the first to China by a UK Foreign Secretary in more than five years.
Defending the visit against criticism from Tory China hawks, Mr Cleverly said: “It is important we manage our relationship with China across a range of issues.
“China's size, history and global significance means they cannot be ignored, but that comes with a responsibility on the global stage.
“That responsibility means China fulfilling its international commitments and obligations.”