The UK government has blocked eight Chinese investment deals as a response to increasing threats posed by China’s Communist regime. The government used new powers to scrutinize foreign investment and prevent potential harm to the country’s national security. Chancellor Rishi Sunak acknowledged the particular threat to the UK’s open and democratic way of life and stated that the government would take all necessary steps to protect itself from foreign state activity. This comes after a damning report by Parliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee on the UK’s China strategy.
While some Tories have called for China to be officially classified as a threat, the prime minister has refrained from doing so. Instead, he has described China as an epoch-defining and systemic challenge and emphasized the need to engage with the superpower. The Labour leader, Sir Keir Starmer, cited the ISC report to accuse the prime minister of failing to heed warnings about China, resulting in the UK being desperately playing catch up on security. Starmer called for an audit of UK-China relations.
The ISC report highlighted China’s success in penetrating every sector of the UK’s economy and engaging in activities that go beyond legitimate influence and into interference. It noted that China has used its money and influence to suppress criticism and advance its international narrative. The government concurred with the report, stating that some Chinese actions cross the line from influence to interference.
The UK government has already taken measures to counter Chinese influence, including blocking investment deals and banning Huawei from the country’s 5G telecoms network. It has also taken ownership of a stake in the Sizewell C nuclear power project previously held by the Chinese state-owned company CGN. However, the government acknowledges the need for further investment to effectively respond to the challenge posed by China.
In recent years, the UK intelligence community has significantly increased its resources dedicated to countering Chinese threats. The government has also passed the National Security Act, introducing new offenses for foreign interference and protection measures for universities to safeguard freedom of speech. Additionally, funding for Mandarin language training and programs to deepen expertise in the Chinese language and culture will be increased.
The UK government’s response to the increasing threats from China reflects a growing awareness of the risks posed by the Communist regime. As the country strengthens its defenses and takes steps to protect its open and democratic values, it remains committed to engaging with China while maintaining a robust approach to foreign state threat activity.
