The UK Foreign Secretary, James Cleverly, is visiting China today (Wednesday 30 August) for high-level talks with senior representatives from the Chinese government in Beijing. Billed by the FCDO as a trip to ‘further British interests’ it will include discussions on shared global challenges, such as climate change.
Researchers at the IDS China Centre believe that the UK Government should be thinking more seriously and more broadly regarding its China strategy, to include almost all areas of policy, such as food and agriculture, mineral mining and global health.
Commenting on the significant Foreign Secretary visit to China,
Jing Gu, Research Fellow, Institute of Development Studies and Director, IDS China Centre, said:
“This is a critically important trip for the UK Government and an opportunity to build a new type of engagement with China, as well as assess the long-term capacities, expertise, and structures to manage the complex relationship the UK needs with China going forward.
“China’s size and strategic importance mean that the UK must consider China in almost all areas of policy and think beyond trade and investment. China’s overseas activities have become increasingly critical for global development, particularly for development in developing countries, climate change and global health. Beyond these areas we must also engage with China in relation to food and agriculture, resource extraction, biodiversity and governance of digital technologies.
“We have a much greater chance of advancing all these issues internationally if we can find ways to cooperate effectively, and develop collective responses to shared, global challenges.”
