MPs warn UK lacks coherent strategy on China

Summarised from 3 outlets · 4 reports · Updated 2 Nov, 05:32 · Archive

A parliamentary committee has criticised the government for making up its China policy without a coherent long-term strategy.

Parliament's business, innovation, science and trade committee has published a damning assessment of the government's approach to China, accusing ministers of making policy without a coherent strategy. The report states that Labour promised a 'strategic, long-term, consistent UK approach to China' in 2024 but has failed to deliver it.

The committee said this lack of strategy 'combined the worst of both worlds' for the UK. British firms have missed out on lucrative commercial deals, the report adds, whilst the government has failed to manage what the MPs describe as 'unquantified, unmanaged risk' in relations with China. Liam Byrne, the Labour MP chairing the committee, warned that the approach also endangers business with the EU, risking British companies being 'cut off' from major manufacturing contracts.

The MPs have called on the Prime Minister to clarify his government's stance on closer dealings with China. The committee noted that while British businesses have profitable operations in China and wish to expand them, the government must 'shape its own relationship with China or risk having that relationship shaped for us in Washington or Beijing'.

How it is being reported

• Britain 'exposed' to economic and national security risks from Beijing as Labour accused of 'making up China policy as it goes'MPs have warned Labour is "making up its China policy as it goes", exposing Britain to both economic and national security risks. In a 102-page document, MPs sitting on the Business, Innovation, Science and Trade Committee (Bist) accused Labour of failing to deliver on its 2024 promise to implement a "strategic, long-term, consistent" approach to China. The report said the Government’s track record of decisions regarding Beijing was characterised by "reactivity, inconsistency, and opacity". This includes the last-minute blocking of plans by the Chinese firm Ming Yang to build a wind turbine…GB News · 2 Nov, 08:29
• UK making up China policy ‘as it goes along’, MPs warnCommons committee says lack of coherent strategy is hampering business and leaving national security risks unaddressed The UK is making up policy on China “as it goes along” and risks having its strategy dictated by Washington or Beijing, a parliamentary report has concluded. An investigation by the Commons business, innovation, science and trade select committee said Labour’s failure to formulate a coherent strategy since 2024 “combined the worst of both worlds” for the UK in relation to China. Continue reading...The Guardian · 2 Nov, 05:00
• Labour is 'making up' China policy on the hoof: MPs' damning report says UK security is at risk because ministers don't want to offend BeijingA report from MPs criticised Labour's approach to Beijing as the 'worst of both worlds' as ministers were accused of 'making up its China policy as it goes along'.Daily Mail · 2 Nov, 01:12
• DAILY MAIL COMMENT: It's time to drop the 'diplomatic politeness' and change your tune on China, PM...The scale and scope of China's threat to Britain can hardly be overstated. With Labour only too well aware of the dangers, its 'diplomatic politeness' towards Beijing defies explanationDaily Mail · 2 Nov, 01:05

In this story: Labour · Parliament's Business, Innovation, Science and Trade Committee · China · Liam Byrne · Andy Burnham · Keir Starmer

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