Beijing to Britain

Gave some snap analysis to POLITICO yesterday following Shein's appearance before the Business and Trade Select Committee: “I suspect many of those involved in Shein’s potential London Stock Exchange listing will have watched that session through their fingers. That was, by most measures, a disaster. Shein needed to try and placate this influential group of British politicians who were already sceptical of the company’s practices and sourcing. How would you try to achieve this? Give them enough information in your responses to make them feel you’ve answered, and avoid saying anything outside of your key strategic points. Be well briefed and know your facts. Unfortunately for Shein, they did the opposite. I would not want to be in Shein HQ for that debrief.” [Here's a video of the Shein representative getting told off by one of the Committee MPs too.] Oxford China Policy Lab

Dear colleagues, I am delighted to share that Sarah Tzinieris, Kevin Blachford, and myself, have just published a peer-reviewed and open access article on how #China 🇨🇳 sees #AUKUS 🇦🇺🇬🇧🇺🇸. China's perspective is an aspect that, in the emerging academic debate on AUKUS, has been neglected; yet, it is central to understanding the geopolitical implications of this US-led geostrategic endeavour. In this article, we study Beijing's views of AUKUS through an analysis of a variety of Chinese sources. Huge thanks to Sarah Tzinieris for leading us through this effort! Defence Studies Department School Security Studies Department of War Studies Lau China Institute, King's College London ITSS Verona Centre for Science & Security Studies Security & Defence PLuS https://lnkd.in/ePHRqyt5

A delegation of British semiconductor companies is getting ready to head to Taiwan for the SEMICON expo later this week. This is one of the world's largest and most influential semiconductor meetings, and the UK has form in sending British firms along to learn from international counterparts. It follows the publication of a Semiconductor Strategy by the previous Conservative government. Led by the UK Government's National Technology Adviser Dr Dave Smith, the companies will be at the UK Pavilion throughout the gathering.

This looks like a good resource for those who want to follow UK-China news. China House Brief "is a brand new fortnightly brief focused on the UK's evolving relationship with China." The first edition covers the current landscape, key MPs and includes an excellent concluding section (no spoilers!) Also includes some kind words about Beijing to Britain. https://lnkd.in/eYc2SrmB

Roger will be joining - will you? It started with a guest appearance on the Beijing to Britain podcast where I joined co-hosts Steven Lynch MBE & Sam Hogg to discuss the state of the 🌎 clean energy passenger vehicle sector which mostly means talking about how 🇨🇳 has lapped the ROW. We also dissected whether some of the concerns the 🇬🇧 govt has about 🇨🇳 EV Inc. are valid. Since I’m currently in London, it seems appropriate that the three of us would again collab, this time for an in-person discussion about what the 🇬🇧’s diplomatic strategy with 🇨🇳 should be. Please join us this Wednesday as we invite a few other folks and continue our discussion on the 🇬🇧’s strategy for engaging with 🇨🇳. Since Sino Auto Insights is a co-sponsor, I’ll continue the #EV discussion, this time with Benchmark Mineral Intelligence’s Henry Sanderson & Simon Wright from the The Economist - those of you in London, this is the event to attend. We anticipate very good attendance so don’t miss it!

"What should the next UK government’s China strategy be?" • How can a Labour Government reshape a coherent China approach? • What does the UK need to have a more successful relationship with China? • What is the ‘on the ground’ UK perspective on China? • How can the UK’s engagement in the Indo Pacific stabilise geopolitical tensions? • What are British businesses picking up on the ground that’s being missed in Westminster? • How important foreign policy and more specifically China, will be for the incoming government . Are we heading for another 'reset' with China, will relations improve or a further thawing? We have a fantastic panel discussing all things UK - China: James Crabtree - Distinguished fellow at the Asia programme at the European Council on Foreign Relations Sam Hogg - Founder Beijing to Britain Cindy Yu - Assistant Editor at The Spectator Join us for our Inaugural UK-China Summer Conference: https://lnkd.in/eiPJ4-r2

Make sure you get tickets for our event next week - they are selling out rapidly!

As I wind down Beijing to Britain, I want to finish with a bang. So, I've assembled some of my favourite folk for an evening of UK-China discussions. We've got a mega evening ahead, with thinkers from EVs to grand strategy, The Economist to The Spectator. Come along, have a laugh, ask some questions! Save the date: Wed, 26 Jun 2024 17:30 - 20:30 BST https://lnkd.in/e7CKbYTS

Great to be on the Beijing to Britain pod with Steven Lynch MBE and Sam Hogg Interesting discussion of China trade, tariffs and technical prowess. The prospect of a second larger China Trade Shock and the threats and opportunities for the UK

Dear Keir Starmer, Rt Hon Rachel Reeves MP, David Lammy, Jonathan Reynolds MP – We need to talk about your China strategy, so please read Beijing to Britain’s recommendations to rectify existing issues in our system, establish solid foundations for engagement with China today, and ensure the UK is better equipped to face the challenges of tomorrow in this critical bilateral. The United Kingdom will have a General Election on July 4th 2024. Current polling suggests the Labour Party will win, likely with a significant majority. Therefore, the Labour Government have an opportunity (which is desperately needed) to reshape Westminster and Whitehall’s China capabilities and approach. This is Sam Hogg’s ultimate ‘mic drop’ moment. Labour’s strategy (very similar to the current government strategy) is built upon three Cs’: 1.   Challenge 2.   Compete 3.   Cooperate This report adds a further two, which we believe are necessary to enable more effective delivery of any future China strategy: 4.   Create 5.   Communicate https://lnkd.in/ekTeJvfu