By Andrew MacAskill, Kate Holton, and Michael Holden
LONDON (Healthy urvival) - British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's efforts to strengthen relations with China make him vulnerable to domestic criticism that he is ignoring the national security risks, while achieving only limited economic benefits that he urgently requires.
Last week, prosecutors stated they were forced to halt the trial of two British individuals accused of espionage in parliament for China, as the British government declined to classify Beijing as a risk to its national security.
The government led by Starmer claims that ministers did not influence the case to please Beijing. However, political rivals argue that this marks the sixth time they have chosen to enhance ties with China at the expense of security or human rights issues.
Critics also highlight the government's decision not to release a much-anticipated review of its interactions with Beijing, as well as the exclusion of China from a list of nations facing more rigorous regulations under a foreign influence registration system.
Britain has set its sights on enhancing ties with China.
The Labour administration led by Starmer has prioritized better ties with Beijing, aiming to attract foreign investment in order to fulfill its election promise of enhancing infrastructure and boosting economic growth.
However, former senior security experts and trade advisors have cautioned that this is a risky approach to take amid a global tariff conflict, especially since China has previously been accused by competitors of using economic pressure when faced with threats.
"We completely acknowledge that China presents a range of challenges to UK national security, but we also need to be aware that China offers us certain opportunities," said security minister Dan Jarvis to parliament this week.
Thus far, the financial benefits have been limited.
China is Britain's fifth-largest trading partner, making up 5.5% of the total trade volume. However, British exports to China decreased by 12% during the year ending in March, marking the second largest decline among Britain's top 20 trading partners since the Labour Party took office in July of last year. Additionally, China contributed only 0.2% of the total inward foreign investment.
Due to the instability of global supply chains caused by fluctuating tariffs, Britain has focused on expanding its service sector with China, thinking that selling financial and pension products is less complicated than exporting vehicles and medicines. Annual exports of services increased by 12% to 13.2 billion pounds ($17.6 billion).
Britain will have to handle the relationship with care.
A former high-ranking British security official shared with Healthy Urvival that it is feasible for British governments to strongly interact with China in order to safeguard national security interests while continuing trade and investment relationships.
However, the official, who requested anonymity, stated that the issue arises if Beijing believes Britain is meddling in what it considers its most critical matters—such as Taiwan, Hong Kong, and the South China Sea.
The United Kingdom is strongly connected to the United States and has had ongoing disagreements with Beijing regarding its handling of Hong Kong since the territory was handed back to China in 1997.
Allie Renison, a former government trade advisor currently working with the consultancy SEC Newgate, mentioned that Beijing might limit its investments in British renewable energy infrastructure if it aimed to make a statement.
"China doesn't operate in silos, unlike how the UK might prefer," she said.
CHINESE STRATEGY ALSO INVOLVES POLITICAL RISKS
The failure of the espionage trial has dominated the headlines in the UK for almost two weeks, with the government's account of the situation being questioned twice by independent prosecutors.
The evidence outlined how two individuals, who have denied the allegations, were charged with sharing details regarding a politician expected to be elevated to the cabinet and the government's stance on matters like sanctions against Chinese companies.
The leader of the UK's MI5 intelligence agency, Ken McCallum, stated on Thursday that the government successfully balances taking advantage of opportunities with maintaining security. However, he emphasized: "I will never hesitate to address threats against the United Kingdom."
A former top national prosecutor, Starmer now faces the risk of being perceived as lacking strength on national security issues, with one Labour MP telling Healthy urvival that the incident might create an image of the government being "dishonest."
It will also serve as the setting for a decision that is already politically delicate regarding the approval of China's proposal to construct the biggest embassy in Europe in London.
A former high-ranking British security official believed it was now too late to deny the embassy request.
CHINA'S SUPPORTERS CLAIM RELATIONS NEED TO GET BETTER
Although there are tensions regarding China's involvement, numerous trade specialists and even ex-security officials believe that Britain, which has a stagnant economy, must discover a method to collaborate with Beijing, as it has become significantly more cautious in recent times.
At least four members of the cabinet have visited China since the Labour party came into power, with Starmer anticipated to visit next year.
Can Britain—after Brexit—afford to lack an economic connection with the world's second-largest economy?" a former security official questioned. "No, it can't.
A former British official with strong connections to British commerce, who wished to remain anonymous, concurred, stating that China has already surpassed the West in numerous future technologies.
"If we aim to catch up, we must persuade them to invest and collaborate," he stated.
(Reported by Andrew MacAskill, Kate Holton, and Michael Holden; Edited by Alex Richardson)