Integrated Review Refresh and AUKUS reaction, TikTok ban, Parliament debate on Xi Jinping
A Beijing to Britain briefing
Hello,
All in all, the 2023 ‘refreshed’ Integrated Review seems to have gone down fairly well in Westminster. Think tanks appear generally in favour, MPs and Peers have voiced support while noting that action and funding are needed, and Fleet Street seemed largely pleased.
I think there was a little bit of something for everyone in the IR23. For those keen to see a sharpening of language, the Chinese Communist Party was identified squarely as an “epoch-defining challenge” for Britain domestically and internationally. Those who have long called for the acknowledgement that ‘China’ and the ‘Chinese Communist Party’ are different entities should be pleased to see the IR23 note this, separating them consistently. For international observers, the language used around ‘threats’ brings the UK largely in line with its allies. For the many who have advocated for the UK to increase its China capabilities, the news that funding will be doubled was a welcome one indeed. And for developing and middle powers around the globe, the IR23 includes a firm acknowledgement that the UK “recognise[s] that the multilateral system needs to change to accommodate new realities.” Finally, and perhaps overlooked, is the strong response to and analysis of the IR23 we’ve been fortunate to see from Britain’s think tanks. I’ve included a fair number of them in today’s briefing note.
As I told Politico earlier in the week, the real bonus from my point of view about the IR23 being published is that Parliament now has a series of KPIs over which to hold the Government to account regarding China. What form will this new China capabilities investment take, for example? And while some have already been published, when will Parliamentarians see the significant number of strategies promised in the IR23, such as one examining Supply Chains and Imports? As the public reaction to the IR23 has shown so far, politicians appear largely in favour - but they will be waiting for Government to produce some results.
— Sam Hogg, Editor
There will be no Beijing to Britain next week
In this week’s Briefing Note, we look at:
Westminster’s reaction to the IR23
Debate on Chairman Xi Jinping
A ban on TikTok