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MPs accuse Labour of putting 'diplomatic politeness' with Beijing before national security and 'making up' its China policy

Liam Byrne, whose committee found that businesses cannot plan commercially because Labour has never produced the long-term China strategy it pledged in 2024.
Liam Byrne, whose committee found that businesses cannot plan commercially because Labour has never produced the long-term China strategy it pledged in 2024.
President Donald Trump and President Xi Jinping. MPs warned on Monday that Britain risks having its China policy shaped by either Washington or Beijing without a coherent strategy.
President Donald Trump and President Xi Jinping. MPs warned on Monday that Britain risks having its China policy shaped by either Washington or Beijing without a coherent strategy.

A cross-party Commons committee has delivered a 102-page indictment of Labour's China policy, warning that years of "reactivity, inconsistency, and opacity" have left Britain exposed to "unquantified, unmanaged risk" on both economic and national security fronts. Committee chairman Liam Byrne, a Labour MP himself, demanded Prime Minister Andy Burnham clarify his stance toward Beijing after his predecessor Keir Starmer refused to publish a full government audit of UK-China relations.

The committee wants imports made with forced labour banned, calling current prohibitions "not fit for purpose."

MPs highlighted the last-minute block on Chinese firm Ming Yang's £1.5bn wind turbine factory in Scotland as a prime example of chaotic, eleventh-hour decision-making.

Britain risks having its China strategy "shaped for us in Washington or Beijing," the report warns, including being cut off from EU manufacturing contracts.

MoreDaily MailIf Burnham was more interested in Beijing we wouldn't be so vulnerableparliament.ukGovernment has failed to deliver on China promises, says BIST Committee - UK ParliamentDaily Mail NewsLabour is 'making up' China policy on the hoof: MPs' damning report says UK security is at risk because ministers don't want to offend BeijingBBC News - PoliticsGovernment making up China policy as it goes along, say MPsThe GuardianUK making up China policy ‘as it goes along’, MPs warn - The GuardianGB NewsLabour accused of 'making up China policy as it goes' in damning new reportCity A.M.Labour’s stance on China prioritises ‘politeness over security’
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