Understanding the UK s âTiltâ Towards the Indo-Pacific
The UKâs goal to be the European partner âwith the broadest and most integrated presenceâ in the region within the next nine years appears ambitious.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaks during the weekly question time debate at the House of Commons in London, Britain March 10, 2021. Photo: UK Parliament/Jessica Taylor/Handout via Reuters
World17/Mar/2021
The UKâs new foreign and security policy âtiltâ towards the Indo-Pacific remains firmly anchored within the Euro-Atlantic region, with the US as its âmost important strategic allyâ and Russia as its most âacute threatâ. China, India and Japan are recognised as the three most important powers in the Indo-Pacific with widely differing characteristics and relationships with the UK. And, climate change will be the UKâs top international priority in the decade ahead, according to the first comprehensive (111-
EVER since Brexit, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been at pains to tell a new story of the UK’s place in the world. Yesterday, Mr Johnson had what should have been his best opportunity yet to do just that when he outlined the Integrated Review of Britain’s defence, security and foreign policy, the biggest overhaul of its kind since the end of the Cold War. Not that anyone of course wants to hark back to those frosty days of international diplomacy. That much Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, was also at pains to make clear yesterday, when he warned against adopting a “Cold-War mentality” with China, the one country which if the review’s conclusions are anything to go by, Britain will be watching closely on the foreign policy front in the years ahead.
Australia won t be facing China s emerging power alone after the US and UK governments signalled their support and greater involvement in the Asia-Pacific.
In separate developments, a top Biden Administration official has warned Beijing over trade sanctions against Australia, while the new UK global security review flagged China s power as a major challenge.
US President Joe Biden s Asia-Pacific co-ordinator Kurt Campbell told
The Sydney Morning Herald that China must ease its economic coercion against Australia before it can expect improved relations with Washington.
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President Joe Biden has thrown his support behind Australia as it faces trade sanctions by China..(Supplied)
It should seek to strengthen ties with countries including India, Japan and Australia as part of efforts to compete with the growing threat of China, which is the “biggest-state based threat” to the UK’s economic security and a “systemic challenge” to British interests.
Despite these warnings, however, the review also emphasises the need to pursue a positive economic relationship with the Asian superpower, including “deeper trade links and more Chinese investment”, in order to preserve “space for cooperation where our interests align”.
The tone is more consistent when it comes to fellow superpower Russia, which is said to be “the most acute threat to our security”.