Hello,
Welcome to the first Beijing to Britain podcast.
In today’s teaser episode, hosts Sam Hogg and Steve Lynch discuss:
The Foreign Secretary’s visit to China
A new Foreign Affairs Committee report with some choice words on Taiwan
What’s to come over the course of the first season
Listen on Apple Podcasts here.
Key points
The UK’s Foreign Secretary, James Cleverly, touched down in China last night for a one-day visit. He met Vice-President Han Zheng and Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
Speaking to the latter, Cleverly said "It is important for us to maintain these channels of communication at our level as minister-to-minister, ministers in upper government departments. And, of course ultimately, it is important for our prime minister and your president to have the opportunity to speak directly as well."
Cleverly also released a Twitter video, pre-empting the criticism he will face on his return from his Parliamentary colleagues of all parties. ‘To disengage would be an act of weakness, not strength.” The Foreign Secretary has come under criticism by some backbenchers for his China approach: outspoken critic Iain Duncan Smith MP said “The Chinese just think we're visiting them as part of the extended empire and that we're just one of those regions who will eventually do homage to China".
The Foreign Affairs Committee published a report on the Government’s Indo-Pacific tilt. On Taiwan, it said "Taiwan is already an independent country, under the name Republic of China." It called for the Government to do more to strengthen ties with the island.
Additionally, the report called for the Government to publish parts of its China Strategy. This is the third time in almost as many years that a Committee has called for clarity on this subject.
It also requested that the Government provide more clarity about where the money promised for the China Capabilities Fund is being spent.
A transcript of the podcast is included for paid readers above.
Extra content
Government press release on visit to China
Tilting horizons: the Integrated Review and the Indo-Pacific. The Foreign Affairs Committee
Twitter thread on the FAC report by KCL Professor of War & Strategy in East Asia Alessio Patalano
Interview with the Foreign Secretary, Sky News
The Beijing to Britain podcast: TEASER