UK relations with China unlikely to improve under new PM Liz Truss, analysts say
- Analysts expect Britain to follow US lead on China policy, despite leadership change
- Amid economic challenges at home and strained China relations, Truss will have her work cut out for her, experts say
Relations between Beijing and London are unlikely to improve under Britain’s new prime minister, Liz Truss, who may closely follow Washington’s China strategy, Chinese analysts say.
Zha Daojiong, an international studies professor at Peking University, said Truss was known for harsh rhetoric on China and would have to live up to her track record when dealing with China, adding that she would have her work cut out for her since the countries’ overall ties hardly improved under outgoing leader Boris Johnson.
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Zha said economic ties between Britain and China had already been strained, and more importantly the UK had to address economic challenges that were spreading across continental Europe as well.
“It is not easy to forecast how much further the Truss government can see the downward spiral of its China relations.”
Renmin University international studies professor Wang Yiwei agreed.
“Can the British find the balance [in its mindset] toward China in the future? Possibly not in Truss’ term but [it’s] possible in the next few years,” Wang said.