Britain’s ambition: G7 taking on China
Britain is set to use its presidency of the G7 to join the United States in seeking ways to combat China’s multitrillion-dollar infrastructure spending spree across the globe, the Telegraph understands.
President Joe Biden put the proposal to Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson last month, calling for “a similar initiative, pulling from the democratic states, helping those communities around the world that, in fact, need help”.
It means pushing back against the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) that China has used to win influence in Asia, Africa and parts of Europe.
Britain and its allies are unlikely to embark on a state-led scheme to fund projects such as ports and rail routes, for fear of being mired in ventures that are not economically viable. They are likely to encourage wellgoverned private sector projects.
Radomir Tylecote, at the think tank Civitas, said: “Beijing is using the BRI not simply to bring foreign infrastructure and assets into Chinese ownership, in some cases for potential military use such as port facilities, but to export its authoritarian norms.
“A high-level US-led strategy in response is a heartening proposal. It is also a natural strategic move for this country, as post-Brexit the UK begins to strengthen its Five Eyes and Indo-Pacific bonds.”
James Carafano, at the Heritage Foundation, called for an alternative to the Chinese model.
“The way China has tried to implement the Belt and Road has been incredibly destabilising. They are selling poverty, doing resource extraction, they are not doing the kind of things that contribute to regional stability. And they are gaining tremendous geopolitical influence, which is a threat,” he said.
Setting a framework for transparent, well-governed investment could boost the economy, lessen Chinese influence and force China to improve its behaviour, Carafano said.
“In the Middle East, North Africa or Latin America, the Chinese are not necessarily the partner of choice. If there is an alternative to that which creates wealth and sustainable economic growth and brings real stability, and doesn’t bring the baggage of the Chinese telling you what to do, that is a fairly attractive option,” he said. “By doing this, if it is successful, in order for the Chinese to compete they are going to have to change their ways. It might force the Chinese to clean up their act a little bit.”