Fears of war with China grow but Labour is intent on a relationship with Beijing

Professor Malcolm Chalmers, deputy director general of defence think-tank Rusi, said: “Policy towards China will be a test case of whether the new Government’s commitment to closer European foreign policy co-operation is translated into policy convergence in practice. The next steps in the war in Ukraine will be key. If there is increased Chinese assistance to Russia’s war effort, the UK is likely to align with other European states in supporting a more assertive stance towards Beijing.”