Even before the crisis we remain engulfed in, there were those so distrustful of China’s actions and ambitions, they demanded the UK keep it at a long arms-length. So much so in fact they insisted we allow Huawei no part of our G5 telecom network, or the Chinese state any involvement in the funding and building of HS2. Indeed, that the coronavirus pandemic had its – ‘suspicious’ – origins in China, has only acted to increase demands we societally distance ourselves from it. I will not enter into the reasons why there is opposition to engaging with China on a commercial basis, other than to say that when it comes to international relations there is always conflict between objective economic practicality and – subjective – morality. To best understand the – seeming – dilemma we face, imagine a future where the UK does indeed economically distance itself from China.
Be smart – keep China onside
The Economist
