For the first time in five years, senior officials from China and the UK met face-to-face, marking an important step in diplomatic relations as British diplomat James Cleverly visited Beijing. The future success of their relationship, however, is contingent on the UK’s efforts to address existing barriers and to bolster sector-wide communication and exchange.
On his visit, Cleverly, the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Affairs, met with Chinese Vice President Han Zheng. The meeting highlighted the decades-long ambassadorial-level ties between the two nations. Han emphasized the achievements made through their collaborative efforts in various domains.
Given the complexities of the current global scene, Han stated the importance for both nations, as permanent members of the UN Security Council and major economies, to uphold mutual respect and cooperation. This includes respecting core interests and major concerns, maintaining communication on international issues, and together promoting global peace and progress.
Highlighting the significance of economic and trade collaborations, Han expressed the necessity for both governments to foster an encouraging business environment. This, he believes, would be pivotal in identifying new avenues for practical cooperation.
Recognizing China’s global influence and increasing role in international governance, Cleverly lauded China’s contributions to the global economy and its efforts in poverty reduction. The UK, he mentioned, is keen on strengthening high-level dialogues and strategic communications to find mutual grounds and expand cooperation.
In another meeting, Foreign Affairs Minister Wang Yi echoed China’s commitment to nurturing a stable relationship with the UK. Wang emphasized the importance of open dialogues across various areas to foster mutual trust and understanding. China’s position on Taiwan was also clarified, with the UK reaffirming its one-China policy stance.
However, there remain challenges. Factors such as far-right pressures in London, combined with concerns around the Ukraine crisis, pose as potential obstacles to the full restoration of ties. Chinese analysts stress the importance of a realistic and pragmatic approach by Western countries to such international disputes, facilitating possible resolutions.
Cui Hongjian, of the China Institute of International Studies, highlighted the tardiness of the UK in rebuilding direct communication post-COVID-19 compared to other Western powers. Domestic controversies surrounding China policy and external pressures, notably from the US, have placed UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in a difficult position. Nonetheless, Cui acknowledges Cleverly’s visit as a significant move towards deescalating tensions and restoring relations.
Experts believe there is immense potential in China-UK collaboration, especially in trade, education, tourism, science, and technology. If the UK can assert its strategic autonomy and not be overly influenced by the US, it stands to gain substantially.
Despite certain Western media skepticism about China’s economic health, the British business community remains optimistic. Chris Torrens, from the British Chamber of Commerce in China, suggests that China’s economy is trending in the right direction, particularly noting an uptick in consumer spending.
Yet, challenges persist. Cleverly’s intention to discuss sensitive subjects, such as Hong Kong and Xinjiang, has met with caution from Chinese officials. China firmly believes in its sovereignty on such matters, and any external intervention is seen as an overreach.
Yin Zhiguang, a professor at Fudan University, pointed out that, despite geopolitical tensions, trade volumes have consistently grown. The main points of contention remain issues like Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Xinjiang, where the UK’s stance often mirrors the US’s perspective.
Another concern emerged from a recent British Parliament report that referred to Taiwan as an “independent country.” China, adhering to the one-China principle, strongly objected to this characterization, urging UK Parliamentarians to respect international norms.
Such discordant voices within the UK, particularly the conservative hawks, are influenced by the US and could continue to disrupt the China-UK rapport. This is particularly evident with the upcoming general elections where a unified stance might be sought.
Lastly, during his visit, Cleverly urged China’s intervention in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. With the West deeply enmeshed in the crisis, experts believe the UK is seeking alternatives to the escalating situation. Yin suggests that for China to play a constructive role in peace talks, the UK should align more with China’s neutral position on the matter.
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