Burnham’s Britain can learn from Trump in engaging with China

For Britain to navigate the complex relationship with China effectively, it must transcend the ideological dichotomy often presented by analysts and the media. Recent research conducted by the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC) paints Beijing as an authoritarian state seeking global dominance, while Britain is portrayed as the defender of liberal values. However, this framing does little to foster genuine engagement between the two nations and may even exacerbate existing mistrust.

The audit conducted by IPAC highlights a deficiency in China-related knowledge among top negotiators, both in language skills and understanding of China's political and societal complexities. Yet, the report's ideological lens deepens the very issue it aims to address. China is depicted as an existential threat to British way of life, and every interaction is colored by suspicion. This hyperbole, reminiscent of Hannah Arendt's work on totalitarianism, undermines the prospect of meaningful dialogue.

Conversely, Britain is portrayed as the champion of liberal ideals, responsible for maintaining relevance in the post-imperial era. This role, inherited from a bygone era, often overshadows the pragmatic approach required to effectively engage with a rising superpower. The recent handling of US President Donald Trump's summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping offers a counterpoint.

Trump, discarding the notion of American exceptionalism, adopted a transactional approach, treating China as a counterpart rather than an adversary to be vanquished. While critics deemed the summit more ceremonial than substantive, it established channels for collaboration, particularly in areas like artificial intelligence.

Such diplomatic overtures are crucial. The resentment between Western states and China deepened during the Covid-19 pandemic, with Beijing resenting the moral superiority narrative imposed on China, particularly by the US and Britain. However, treating China as a peer power rather than an immoral adversary is essential for sustainable, constructive diplomacy.

The Labour government in Britain has begun to embrace this pragmatic approach, with Chancellor Jeremy Hunt and Chief of Defence Staff Lord Baker engaging in functional dialogue on shared interests. This shift, anticipated under the incoming Prime Minister Andy Burnham, signals a potential pivot towards a more pragmatic stance, focusing on tangible economic and security interests rather than ideological posturing.

This pragmatic approach, akin to Trump’s business-minded framework, has resonated in Beijing, where it has been warmly received. Chinese state media praised Burnham's "Manchesterism" – a term used to describe his pragmatic stance addressing the concerns of working-class and regional Britain. Manchester's historical ties with China, particularly Wuhan, provide a foundation for strengthening bilateral relations.

The Chinese leader Xi Jinping commended the shift, highlighting the potential for greater commonality and shared concerns between the two nations, despite their different political systems.

In conclusion, while the IPAC audit underscores the need for greater China literacy, it inadvertently reinforces the very ideological narratives that hinder effective engagement. Britain, under Burnham's leadership, has an opportunity to move beyond these ideological impasses and adopt a pragmatic, transactional approach. This shift, grounded in the reality of modern China and Britain's shared interests, could pave the way for a more constructive and mutually beneficial relationship.