March 13, 2022 marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of ambassadorial-level diplomatic relations between China and the UK. As the tenth Chinese Ambassador to the UK, I am delighted to take this opportunity to share my review and outlook on China-UK relations.
Britain was one of the first Western countries to recognize the People’s Republic of China. In the 1970s, against the backdrop of changing international situations, China and the UK established formal diplomatic relations and started close cooperation in the fields of economy, trade and culture. The return of Hong Kong in 1997 paved the way for the further smooth development of Sino-British relations.
I was an ambassador to the UK from 2007 to 2010 and witnessed the rapid development of China-UK relations. During those three years, although a lot of energy was expended due to some contradictions and frictions between the two countries, I had a good impression of the UK, and the work and life experience was pleasant. When I left office at the end of January 2010, I said something like this at the farewell reception at the Hyde Hotel: People have not left, they have already started to miss them.
Over the years, I have been following the development of China-UK relations, and I am delighted by the achievements in exchanges and cooperation between the two countries. But I also noticed bumps and setbacks. The UK’s groundless accusations against China and some concerns around human rights are unacceptable to China. When differences occupy a prominent position in the relationship between the two countries, it will inevitably affect the normal development of China-UK relations.
A closer look at these specific differences shows that they are basically issues related to China’s domestic politics and policies, rather than things that harm the interests of the British people. To a certain extent, the different views of the two sides reflect the differences in values and worldviews between the two peoples based on different histories and political cultures. These need to enhance understanding through communication, which should not weaken the foundation of China-UK relations and the bond of cooperation.
The China-UK relationship has been hard-won step by step, and it is the result of the tireless efforts of generations and the active investment of the two peoples. When diplomatic relations at the ambassadorial level were established in 1972, the trade volume between China and the UK was only US$300 million. In 2021, it will reach more than US$110 billion. China has become the UK’s largest trading partner in Asia. The two-way investment between the two countries has accumulated nearly 50 billion US dollars, and more than 500 Chinese companies have created more than 80,000 employment opportunities in the UK. London has become the world’s largest offshore RMB trading center, with outstanding achievements in financial cooperation such as “Shanghai-London Stock Connect” and local currency swaps. New energy has become a new growth point for China-UK relations, and green cooperation such as battery energy storage, offshore wind power, and electric vehicles is in the ascendant. Not long ago, China’s nuclear power technology “Hualong No. 1” passed the design review in the UK. If this project can be implemented, it will provide the British with more reliable and clean energy.
People-to-people and cultural exchanges and educational cooperation are one of the pillars of China-UK cooperation. I remember that when I went to study in the UK in 1985, I shared a Commonwealth Scholarship with another student. Only a few dozen people arrived at the same time. Most of the majors chosen were practical subjects. Some people studied strawberry planting and breeding techniques. There are also people who study computers and mechanics. Many people have contributed to China’s reform and opening up after returning to China. Whenever I see an abundance of delicious strawberries in the supermarket, I think of those classmates who studied in the UK and their time.
In 2020, the United Kingdom will surpass the United States and become the preferred destination country for Chinese students studying abroad. 42% of Chinese students studying abroad choose the United Kingdom. Despite the impact of the new crown epidemic, the UK has issued 130,000 study visas for Chinese students in 2021, which means that one-third of international students coming to the UK are from China. It is hoped that after the epidemic eases, the people-to-people and cultural exchanges between the two countries will be more vigorous.
It is true that there are inevitably differences between countries, and the existence of differences cannot be ignored. The problem is how to treat and deal with them. Differences can be discussed or even debated, but they cannot be used as an excuse to interfere in other countries’ internal affairs. Western countries are accustomed to pointing fingers at other countries. In addition to arrogance, there is a deeper reason. They are not aware of the new reality of the modern world brought about by economic globalization, and fail to make adjustments in thinking and behavior. And this adjustment is critical to the progress of the world.
After the Cold War, the United States pushed the “world order” dominated by Western countries (which overlaps but is not completely equivalent to the “international order” centered on the United Nations) led by it in the bipolar period to the world. The flow of capital and economic activities such as production and market quickly broke the boundaries of the Western camp and achieved global allocation. But this order remains highly exclusive in other areas, politically, to the exclusion of any other value belief or political system; and security, to put the interests of the United States and its allies first. Economic globalization has brought great changes to the world, including the rise of developing countries such as China. At the same time, the United States, which continues to claim dominance, has made a series of missteps, such as the 2008 financial crisis and failed invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq. The US-led “world order” is starting to loosen and lose its appeal, leading to growing anxiety in Washington about its place in the world.
China’s growth into the world’s second-largest economy in 2010, with its world share of GDP rising from 2.9% in 1972 to a projected over 18% in 2021, has made the United States increasingly worried about losing its hegemony. However, the United States did not choose to compete with China in a globalized environment, but took measures to suppress China’s rapid development. It not only adopted various repressive measures against China in the fields of trade and technology, but also began to highlight the Western The country’s political and ideological differences with China. These differences existed half a century ago and have not hindered the development of our relationship. Now that we have more consensus on global issues and a greater need for cooperation, why have these issues become incompatible differences? The reason lies in the rigidity of the old “world order” and its inability to adapt to the changing new reality. It is also due to the lack of understanding and tolerance of Western countries towards emerging countries with different histories, cultures and development levels such as China. Of course, the awareness and ability of the Chinese people to communicate and introduce themselves to the outside world also need to be further improved.
Currently, serious conflicts have arisen between Europe and the Asia-Pacific region due to inconsistent interests, and the old order and concept are being constantly impacted by changes and tensions. The relationship between China and the UK needs to adapt to the changing situation, adjust actively, avoid falling into the trap of entanglement of interests and conflicting ideas, and seek new development opportunities and cooperation momentum.
We need to learn from historical experience and lessons, get rid of the interference of old ideas, respect and tolerate each other, insist on dialogue and consultation, overcome resistance and expand cooperation. As President Xi Jinping pointed out in his phone call with Prime Minister Johnson on October 29, 2021, “to develop China-UK relations well, mutual trust is the foundation, cognition is the premise, and proper handling of differences is the key.”
The History of Europe, written by JM Roberts, a professor of history at Oxford University in 1996, is one of the few history books written about Russia as a part of Europe. However, 30 years after the end of the Cold War, a fierce military conflict broke out in Europe again, and the huge humanitarian disaster brought about is regrettable. The whole world is closely monitoring the development of events and urgently calls for a truce and a peaceful resolution of the crisis as soon as possible.
When exploring the reasons for this conflict, it is not difficult to see the collision of outdated geopolitical concepts—everyone wants to push their security border as far as possible, and they all want to strengthen their alliance camp based on common values and exclude others. It is under this “tension” that Europe keeps missing opportunities for unity. And the current conflict, if not properly resolved, may drag the entire world back into the abyss of isolation and confrontation.
When the world entered the 21st century, major countries had a period of calm and cooperation. The vigorous advancement of economic globalization has brought valuable development opportunities to all countries in the world, and many countries, including China and the UK, have benefited greatly from it. What we now face is not only the impact of protectionism and isolationism on economic globalization, but also the risk of reversal of economic globalization caused by vicious competition among major powers and regional conflicts. The world is once again faced with a choice between peace or war, fusion or tear. As a veteran industrialized country, the UK has always been highly sensitive to the changes in the general trend of the world. It must also be thinking about whether history can only be reincarnated and disasters must continue to repeat themselves?
I have noticed that the UK has put forward the concept of “Global Britain”, which reflects the UK’s willingness to participate more actively in global affairs and play a role commensurate with its own position in the world. So, can the UK also think and measure from a global perspective when dealing with its relations with China?
The development and strength of China is an important part of the changing world situation. I remember when I gave a public speech when I was the British ambassador, there were two most frequently asked questions: “What does China want from the world?” “What can China bring to the world?” The perception of status change even predates the Chinese themselves. My answer at that time was that China hopes the world will maintain peace and stability, and China will repay the world with its own peaceful development. Today, more than a decade later, China is focusing on realizing the great national rejuvenation and common prosperity of the people. To maintain sustainable domestic development requires a lasting peaceful international environment. To this end, we hope to see the reform and improvement of the global system in a direction that is more inclusive, just and universally beneficial.
China and the UK are both permanent members of the UN Security Council, supporters and promoters of economic globalization, and both hope that their voices and interests will be reflected and guaranteed on the world stage. China-UK relations are about to start a new 50 years, and we need to learn to manage our relationship on a global platform. Because how we view each other and how we define our relationship under the new situation will also affect the development of the general trend of the world. We all have a responsibility and a duty to resist the forces that are pushing the world down the road.
The 21st century faces many major challenges related to the common interests of mankind, which need to be jointly dealt with by the international community, including China and the UK. Our two countries should strengthen coordination and cooperation in this regard. These issues include maintaining global financial stability, addressing climate change, developing clean energy, ensuring nuclear non-proliferation, improving food security, combating terrorism, and controlling cybersecurity. Such cooperation will also provide a lasting impetus for the two countries to achieve new mutual benefits and win-win results at the bilateral level.
Fu Ying, Founding Director of the Center for Strategic and Security Studies at Tsinghua University, former Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of China
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