Britain’s China blind spot is now a national security liability |
By Adam Irwin
Britain has a problem it doesn’t want to talk about.
It’s become too dependent on China, and that dependency now shapes almost every major decision we make, from trade to technology to security.
For years, British governments have tried to walk a fine line, keeping Chinese money flowing while claiming to protect national security. It’s not working. The collapse of the recent espionage trial made that clear. When the case fell apart, it wasn’t just a legal failure, it was a sign that politics, economics, and fear of Beijing now pull in opposite directions.
The truth is simple. Britain wants the benefits of global trade but doesn’t want to face the risks that come with it. And those risks are growing fast.
Choice between comfort and control
China is no longer just a trading partner. It’s a state with a clear strategy, which is to build economic leverage around the world and use it when needed. Britain is part of that plan, even if it doesn’t like to admit it.
Chinese investment runs through parts of our infrastructure, energy, and technology. Critical materials used in manufacturing and green tech come from supply chains linked to Chinese control. Even........