Chinese Embassy condemns Sunak’s unwarranted accusation
China urges some British politicians to end their belligerent rhetoric, cease wanton accusations against China, stop stoking bloc confrontation, and instead, focus more on domestic economic and social issues, and act in a way that is truly in the interests of world peace and justice, the Chinese Embassy in the UK said on Wednesday night, in response to UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s listing of China as an authoritarian state and criticizing the China-Russia relationship.
Chinese experts said Sunak’s hype aims to win support for his administration to increase military spending. In order to achieve this, he presents so-called external challenges, said experts.
Sunak said the UK’s increase in military spending “is a turning point for European security and a landmark moment in the defense of the United Kingdom.” Speaking at the base of the Warsaw Armoured Brigade in Poland, he addressed a regiment of the Queen’s Dragoon Guards: “I want to talk to you about how we equip you to do your duty in an increasingly dangerous world,” with Britain and NATO confronting an “axis of authoritarian states,” said Sunak, naming Russia, Iran, North Korea, and China.
The UK politician was trying to look for excuses to ramp up the UK’s military spending through his unwarranted accusation and malicious slander against China, said a spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy in the UK on Wednesday, noting that China firmly rejects his Cold War rhetoric that incites antagonism and confrontation.
Cui Hongjian, a professor with the Academy of Regional and Global Governance at Beijing Foreign Studies University, told the Global Times on Thursday that Sunak’s attack on China in his speech is mainly for “clout-chasing.”
“Because of the numerous issues both domestically and internationally that the UK faces, Sunak is worried about the country’s status as a major power,” Cui said. “As a result, he is eager to make a statement on China-related issues, as only through this can he demonstrate his supposed political stance.”