Starmer’s sinic squeeze

Beijing goes full throttle on export controls; Brussels considers enforcing tech transfer from Chinese investors

Observing China is the essential newsletter to understand the UK-PRC relationship, explained in the context of global developments.

The collapsed spy case of Chris Cash and Christopher Berry has all but dominated Westminster since its announcement. It has now turned into a row between Sir Keir Starmer, Prime Minister and Head of the Labour Party, and Kemi Badenoch, Leader of the Opposition, on whether or not the People’s Republic of China (PRC) was classified as a ‘threat’ at the time the allegations were made, under the previous Conservative government.

Meanwhile, an incumbent intelligence chief in the United Kingdom (UK) has warned that parliamentarians are at particular risk of Chinese espionage attempts, while the White House has warned Sir Keir that the collapse of this trial potentially undermines the special relationship between Britain and the United States (US).

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