Making sense of Xi's recent UK visit
- By Niranjan Sahoo
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Britain as China's pivot to Europe and America
For China, it needs the British pivot to reach out the Western powers especially the EU on a range of issues including the most contentious free trade agreement. Notwithstanding its lost superpower status, the U.K. still retains a recognizable voice in the West and other parts of the world. For China, it turns out to be a useful political and diplomatic vehicle to push its ideas and arguments in the forbidden West.
Notwithstanding its giant economy, manufacturing prowess and rising power status, Chinese enterprises face huge barriers in America and among most Western European countries. In particular, the energy, aviation, telecommunication, railway industries are met with enormous resistance and perception challenges in the Western shores. Further, yuan as an alternative global currency needs the strong endorsement from the Western capitals and in this regard U.K. is more than willing to do the Chinese bidding. Internationalization of Renminbi would not find a better venue than the London, world's financial capital.
Importantly, U.K.'s acceptance of Chinese telecom behemoth Huawei to do business despite the same company receiving brickbats from many Western nations especially the U.S. signals Britain's keenness to be China's reliable partner in the West. The likely success of Hinkley Point C nuclear plant with huge Chinese investment can make China a producer of high end technology and a market leader in Europe.
Finally, for China, Britain could emerge as the strongest promoter of Xi's dream project of the land and maritime new Silk Road development. Assessing the massive opportunities at store for China, a well known commentator said "Just as the United Kingdom served as a bridge between Americans and Europeans in the past, London is now aiming at playing such a role with China."
In short, the relationship between two major powers is poised for its honeymoon period. Xi's successful visit which was marked by big ticket investments and signing of several landmark deals on a range of areas cements this further. The big take away from the visit is that the relationship has achieved required maturity in a short time which was reflected in restrained languages that the U.K.'s noisy politicians used on issues sensitive to China.
Niranjan Sahoo is Senior Fellow, Observer Research Foundation, New Delhi.
Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn.
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