The UK’s approach to China is described as "beset by incoherence" and suffering from a lack of senior expertise, according to a report released by the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (Ipac). This international grouping of China-sceptic legislators warns of the risks associated with misjudging the bilateral relationship.

Key Findings

The audit, published on Wednesday, highlights that previous engagements with Beijing have often exposed the UK to risks of interference without delivering the promised opportunities. The report emphasizes:

  • Successful engagement with China must recognize that the People’s Republic of China (PRC) is an inherently hostile authoritarian state that does not share UK values.
  • The power imbalance in the relationship with the world’s second-largest economy is exacerbated by unclear policies and weak engagement.

Lack of Expertise

The report points out that a visiting Chinese delegation noted the absence of senior government officials who speak Mandarin or have significant experience living in China. Although British expertise exists, it is often siloed and not effectively utilized.

Former security minister Tom Tugendhat endorsed the report, calling it "a clear-eyed and realistic take on the defining foreign policy problem of this century, filling a gap left by years of policy neglect."