According to UK PM Rishi Sunak, the "Golden Era" of Relations Between China and Britain is Finished

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said that Beijing's shift toward even greater authoritarianism presented a systemic threat to Britain's principles and interests.

At the Lord Mayor's Banquet in London on Monday, Sunak declared, "Let's be clear, the so-called golden era is ended.

His remarks follow widespread public protests over China's strict zero-Covid policy that took place just before.

Sunak's remarks come soon after groups of individuals protested China's strict zero-Covid policy in open demonstrations around the country. Daniel Leal | Afp | Getty Images

The so-called "golden period" of British relations with China, according to British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, is ended. He also cautioned that Beijing's shift toward even greater authoritarianism constituted a systemic threat to Britain's principles and interests.

In his first significant address on foreign policy, Sunak stated on Monday, "Let's be clear, the so-called golden period is ended."

He referred to the "golden era" of the U.K.-China relationship, echoing remarks made in 2015 by George Osborne, a former U.K. finance minister, who asserted that Britain might be China's "best partner in the West."

Increasing economic links during the preceding ten years had been "naive," according to Sunak, who also charged Beijing with "conspicuously fighting for global influence using all of the instruments of state authority."

The British government, he cautioned, should not rely on "simplistic Cold War rhetoric."

Since becoming the party's leader and prime minister last month, Sunak has come under pressure from Conservative backbenchers to take a more aggressive approach toward China.

In his statement at the Lord Mayor's Banquet in London, Sunak remarked, "We recognize China poses a systemic risk to our values and interests—a danger that grows more acute as it marches towards even greater authoritarianism."

His remarks follow widespread public protests over China's strict zero-Covid policy that took place just before. While reporting an anti-government protest in Shanghai on Sunday, a BBC journalist was assaulted and temporarily arrested by police.

The Chinese government, Sunak claimed, "has opted to crack down more, including by attacking a BBC journalist," rather than paying attention to the protests of its people.

"The media and our lawmakers must be free to call attention to these issues without fear of retaliation, including by denouncing atrocities in Xinjiang and restrictions on freedom in Hong Kong."

The United Kingdom is "in no position to express a judgment on China's Covid policy or other internal issues," according to a representative for the Chinese Embassy in London.

In response to the difficulties faced by Russia and China, Sunak stated that the rate of geopolitical change was quickening and that "short-termism or wishful thinking will not suffice."

Source: CNBC

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