China is an enemy of the UK. Why not admit it?

In the midst of conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, the government finds itself treading cautiously when it comes to confronting a superpower like China, despite mounting evidence of its hostile intentions.

Recent engagements in supporting Ukraine and countering Houthi rebels in Yemen and Iran have stretched our military resources thin. The allocation of weapons to Ukraine has depleted our own stockpiles, while limitations within the Royal Navy, such as the inability to deploy its aircraft carriers for major operations, have become apparent.

In light of a recent data breach revealing Chinese cyber hackers’ involvement in accessing Ministry of Defence personnel files, Defence Secretary Grant Shapps and others in government have chosen to speak cautiously. Instead of directly implicating Beijing, they’ve referred to the perpetrators as “malign actors” and cautiously admitted the possibility of state involvement.

This reluctance to directly confront China aligns with the government’s broader strategy, outlined in its recent national security review, which identifies China as an “epoch-defining challenge” rather than placing it in the same category as openly hostile states like Russia.

While Putin’s actions in Ukraine have solidified Russia’s position as the most immediate threat, China’s approach is more subtle, relying on tactics like cyberattacks and influence operations rather than overt military aggression.

Despite this subtlety, mounting evidence of Chinese aggression, including cyber campaigns against UK institutions and intelligence reports detailing extensive espionage activities, demands a reassessment of the government’s stance.

The recent breach at the MoD is just one example. Previous sanctions against Chinese nationals for cyber campaigns and reports of widespread intelligence-gathering activities underscore the gravity of the situation.

Furthermore, the government’s reluctance to fully engage with intelligence suggesting Chinese involvement in the origins of the Covid pandemic raises questions about its approach.

It’s becoming increasingly evident that the once-touted “golden age” in Sino-British relations is a thing of the past. The government must acknowledge this reality and reassess its policies towards China accordingly.