Emily Thornberry, who chairs the House of Commons’ foreign affairs committee for the Labor Party, emphasized the importance of security in the quest for investment. In an interview with POLITICO, she argued that a comprehensive audit is essential across various government sectors to establish a <a href="https://capital-cities.info/2024/08/03/asia/china/guangzhou/revolutionizing-transportation-guangzhous-new-rules-for-self-driving-vehicles/” title=”Revolutionizing Transportation: Guangzhou's New Rules for Self-Driving Vehicles”>policy framework that will shape future relations with China. She asserted that even though many variables are at play, security should be prioritized above all else.
Critical Issues
Concerns are understandably heightened regarding Wang’s upcoming discussions with Lammy, which will cover topics such as security matters and the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Notably absent is any plan for a joint press conference following their meeting. The U.K. Foreign Office has remained largely silent about Wang’s visit and has refrained from confirming China’s declaration regarding the revival of a long-stalled “strategic dialogue.”
Among china’s priorities might be its proposal to construct an expansive new embassy near London’s Tower, so important that Xi Jinping personally mentioned it during a conversation with Starmer. Currently, this project is under review by U.K. planning authorities.
A particularly contentious issue could arise if Lammy chooses to address China’s human rights violations in Xinjiang province, where there have been severe crackdowns on Muslim Uyghurs eliciting widespread condemnation globally.The Foreign Office confirmed that Lammy previously brought up this issue during his earlier meeting with Wang in Beijing. Amnesty International stated: “Lammy needs to set clear boundaries instead of offering unwarranted hospitality.”
Advocates will also closely monitor whether China falls under the “enhanced tier” of Britain’s upcoming Foreign Influence Registration Scheme—mandating those representing foreign powers or entities within the U.K. to disclose their activities. Reports suggesting China’s potential exclusion have ignited backlash among critics advocating for more stringent measures against Beijing.
Sophia Gaston, who leads foreign policy initiatives at ASPI—a British security think tank—stated unequivocally that China represents one of our most significant challenges ever encountered as a nation: “While we’ve made some strides forward, there’s an alarming disconnect between our actual capabilities and what our institutional framework can support.”