Britain leans towards China: analysis
- By Sumantra Maitra
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E-mail China.org.cn, October 20, 2015
The three major center-right publications, The Financial Times, The Economist and The Telegraph were all fully supportive of the Sino-British trade expansions and special relationship. The Economist clarified what I said in my earlier columns, that Mr. Osborne is perhaps the West's most pro-Beijing statesman of his stature. Li Shufu, the owner of Zhejiang Geely Holding, which operates the Black Cabs in London, wrote, that President Xi will signal further steps forward in bilateral trade and investment between Britain and the world's second-largest economy. The Financial Times mentioned that even though there are significant differences between the two countries, it can be safely argued that "The UK is taking a gamble in seeking a "golden decade" of ties with China.".
In my opinion, there are three conclusions we can gather regarding this scenario. Firstly, the UK has realized that future ties with China are important and cannot be neglected at the cost of human rights arguments, protests and geopolitical squabbles which are not in the mercantile interest of either country. The UK has always been confused about choosing China or India as its partner for future growth, the two strongest and growing future economies and the two greatest labor markets. With the current instability in Indian domestic polity, it is clear which side the UK is planning to take.
Secondly, the UK has been rocked by the Euro crisis and the refugee crisis in the EU, and there is a growing voice in Britain to leave the EU. Now, no one knows what is going to happen in two years. Politically, it might be a safe bet to have a second option, if Britain indeed leaves the EU and loses its common market. Also, the UK is signaling that it is independent in choosing its mercantile path, independent of American geopolitical problems, or European pressure on matters of human rights. Joining the AIIB was the first step, and this is the logical second in the progression.
Thirdly, since all foreign policy is somehow linked to domestic policy, this can also be understood to take the wind out of the sails of an internally divided Labor party, which has always accused British Tories to be pro-US.
Overall, I think this is a welcome development. The UK is still a hub of research and intellectual property, and China is an economic giant with a highly qualified and dedicated workforce. It could be a good economic match, if this warming of relations carries through.
The writer is a columnist with China.org.cn. For more information please visit:
http://www.china.org.cn/opinion/SumantraMaitra.htm
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