British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has explained that China represents a «systemic challenge» to the UK’s values and interests that is becoming more acute «as it moves towards even greater authoritarianism» in the context of the protests that have erupted in the country.
The British Prime Minister recalled that, in the context of the protests in the Asian giant, the Chinese government has assaulted a BBC journalist, alluding to the blows received by Edward Lawrence while he was carrying out his profession.
«The media, and our parliamentarians, must be able to highlight these issues without sanction, including denouncing the abuses in Xinjiang and the restriction of freedom in Hong Kong,» he said before stressing «the importance of China in world affairs.»
Sunak reiterated from Guildhall in London the idea that the UK’s approach to China needs to «evolve» because «the golden era is over». «But neither should we rely on simplistic Cold War rhetoric,» he said.
In this way, he specified that competitors such as China must be confronted using «solid pragmatism» as opposed to «grand rhetoric». The British premier also added that it is necessary to increase «the quality and depth» of ties with «like-minded» allies.
«The United States, Canada, Australia, Japan and many others understand this too. So together we will manage this upgrading competition, including with diplomacy and compromise (…) And that is why we are ending global dependence on authoritarian regimes, starting with Russian gas,» he stressed.
On the other hand, he has reminded that by 2050, the Indo-Pacific region will generate more than half of global growth compared to only a quarter of Europe and North America combined. «It is in our interest to keep these trade lines open,» he said.
ON THE EU AND UKRAINE Sunak also devoted a few words of his speech to assuring that the UK has evolved in post-Brexit relations with Europe, going so far as to commit to the new European Political Community initiative.
«But this is not about further alignment. Under my leadership, we will never align with EU law. Instead, we will foster respectful and mature relationships with our European neighbors on shared issues such as energy and illegal migration,» he has specified.
The prime minister has also referred to the war in Ukraine, assuring that «after years of pushing the boundaries, Russia is defying the fundamental principles of the UN Charter.» «We will be with Ukraine for as long as it takes,» he reminded.
Also, Sunak has expressed that the UK will maintain or even increase its military aid to Kiev. «We will provide new air defense support to protect the Ukrainian people and the critical infrastructure on which they depend,» he said.
«As the world gathers to watch the World Cup I have seen how an explosive device had been hidden inside a child’s soccer ball, seeking to turn it into a weapon of war,» he has expressed in his speech.
