The “golden age” with China is over, what does it mean?

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak says the so-called ‘golden age’ of relations with China is over.

In his first foreign policy speech, Sunak said Britain’s approach to China needs to evolve and that Beijing “is knowingly competing for global influence using all levers of state power.”

“Let’s be clear, the so-called ‘golden age’ is over, along with the naïve notion that trade will lead to social and political reform,” Sunak said. ReutersTuesday (11/29/2022).

Meanwhile, some in the Conservative Party have criticized Sunak as less harsh on China than her predecessor, Liz Truss. Last year, when he became finance minister, he called for a “nuanced” Chinese strategy to balance human rights issues while expanding economic ties.

However, a planned meeting between Sunak and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the G20 summit in Bali recently fell through, and London banned Chinese-made security cameras from sensitive government buildings last week.

“We recognize that China poses a systemic challenge to our values ​​and interests, one that will become more acute as it moves towards more authoritarianism,” he said, referring to the statement. BBC that one of its reporters had been attacked by Chinese police while covering a protest.

“Of course, we cannot simply ignore China’s importance in world affairs, for global economic stability or issues such as climate change. The United States, Canada, Australia, Japan and many others also understand this.”

Sunak said that under his leadership, Britain will not choose the “status quo” and will face international competitors not with great rhetoric, but with pure pragmatism.

On the war in Ukraine, he said the government would maintain military aid to Kiev next year, retaining the strong support offered by former prime ministers Boris Johnson and Truss.

“So don’t hesitate, we will support Ukraine as long as needed. We will maintain or increase our military assistance next year. And we will provide new air defense support,” he said.

In September, Britain became Ukraine’s second-largest military donor after the United States, providing £2.3 billion in aid this year.

Sunak said Britain must take the same long-term approach as its adversaries and competitors such as Russia and China.

“Faced with this challenge, short-term thinking or wishful thinking will not suffice. We cannot rely on Cold War arguments or approaches, or mere sentimentality about the past,” he stressed.

[Gambas:Video CNBC]