Referring to the case of the British journalist detained during a demonstration in China, Sunak acknowledged “that China poses a systemic challenge’ to UK’s ‘values and interests’🇧🇷 A challenge which, according to the head of government, “becomes all the more acute as it moves towards even greater authoritarianism”.
“Instead of listening to the protests of its people, the Chinese government has chosen to crack down even more, including by assaulting a BBC journalist. The media – and our MPs – must be able to bring these issues to light without sanctions, including by reporting abuses in Xinjiang – and restriction of freedoms in Hong Kong”🇧🇷
But in his first major foreign policy speech as prime minister, the British leader warned against “Cold War rhetoric”, stressing that China’s global importance cannot be ignored.
“Of course, we cannot just ignore China’s importance in global affairs, from global economic stability to issues such as climate change.”also declared the British Prime Minister, who opted for “diplomacy and dialogue” to manage relations with Beijing.
London intends to adopt “a long-term vision of China”, strengthening “resilience and protecting economic security”🇧🇷 Sunak and Chinese President Xi Jinping were supposed to meet for the first time at the G20 summit in Indonesia, but the meeting was canceled after a missile exploded in Poland. As a result, talks between the two leaders have yet to take place.
The British leader also assumed a desire to maintain relations with allies such as the United States, Canada, Australia and Japan, in order to “manage ever-increasing competition”. However, Rishi Sunak assured that the UK will not choose the “status quo” and will face international competitors “not with grand rhetoric, but with robust pragmatism”.
The British Prime Minister, however, said that in his tenure the UK will “never” align itself with EU laws, even though it promises it will try to “revitalize” relations with its European neighbours.
“We are promoting an evolution of our post-Brexit relations with Europe, including bilateral relations, as well as participation in the new European Political Community”, a forum created by French President Emmanuel Macron, in which non-EU countries participate , along with Turkey, Ukraine, the Western Balkans, Armenia, Azerbaijan and the UK itself.
“But that doesn’t mean more alignment. Under my leadership, we will never align ourselves with European Union law. Instead, we will promote respectful and mature relationships with our neighbors on common issues like energy and illegal immigration.he explained.
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