15 Dec Written evidence submitted by BFPG to the Foreign Affairs Committee
In November, the British Foreign Policy Group submitted written evidence to the Foreign Affairs Committee’s inquiry on the Update to the UK’s Integrated Review of Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy.
Our submission covered the need for a clear-sighted but calibrated approach to China. It outlined the need for a whole-of-Government and whole-of-UK engagement, that recognises and integrates a sophisticated appreciation of trade dynamics. The submission also outlined that broadening and deepening national capability in languages and regional understanding is essential, and touches on international development assistance as a strategic part of a national effort to counter Chinese influence in the developing world. The submission proposes further reflection on the second-order effects of sanctions and other drivers of decoupling, following observation of the recent sanctions imposed on Russia, with a view to ensuring that activist measures achieve the desired results.
