Britain vowed to counter what it says is a strategic threat from the Chinese Communist Party as it laid out a new 10-year defense strategy last week. According to the policy assessment, Britain is seeking to play a new role on the world stage outside the European Union.
In what he called a “comprehensive assessment” presented to Parliament, Prime Minister Johnson said China poses a “systemic challenge” to Britain’s security.
Prime Minister Johnson said, “”There is no doubt that China will pose a huge challenge to an open society like ours. But we will also work with China in a way that is consistent with our values and interests, including building a stronger and positive economic relationship.”
Several lawmakers accused Johnson of being “soft” on China in order to seek deeper trade ties. Johnson said those who seek a “new cold war” with Beijing are wrong. He also stressed that Britain will remain committed to NATO and European security.
Johnson said, “On the basis of that security, we will look for any friends and partners we can find, build alliances for the sake of openness and innovation, and engage more deeply in the Indo-Pacific.”
Veele Nouwens, an Asia analyst at the Royal United Institute, said a broad response is needed to counter Chinese assertiveness.
Nouwens said, “It’s not just about sending ships to the region or sending planes there, but actually investing equally in new technologies, whether it’s quantum, artificial intelligence, cyberspace and so on. So when we talk about this issue about the rise and assertiveness of China in the Indo-Pacific region, it’s really a much bigger challenge and not just a directly visible military issue that we understand.”
Novens said the U.K. cannot compete with China’s military expansion. He said, “We do have limited resources. So the real aim is to find the tangible strengths that Britain already has and to work with partners and allies on other fronts to try to enhance capabilities and enhance knowledge.”
Prime Minister Johnson said the United States will remain Britain’s closest ally. U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin visited allies Japan and South Korea last week, and China was at the top of the agenda.
Secretary of State Blinken said, “If China uses coercive or aggressive behavior, we will push back when necessary.”
China accuses Washington of undermining regional peace and stability. Beijing has yet to respond to Britain’s expanded action plan in the Indo-Pacific.
Meanwhile, Britain also announced in a defense report that it will increase the ceiling on its nuclear arsenal from 180 to 260. Critics say this would violate Britain’s commitments under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. And the British government says it’s a cap, not a target.
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