Cold War with China has begun, says Truss

LIZ TRUSS will today warn that a Cold War with China has already begun – and that the West has to choose between appeasing Beijing or taking action to prevent war.

The former prime minister will urge Britain’s allies to avoid the mistakes made in the 1930s when they tried to appease Hitler.

She will use a trip to Taiwan to make a personal plea for Rishi Sunak, her successor, to brand China as a “threat” to UK security.

In Taipei City, Ms Truss will challenge the Prime Minister to deliver on the language he used during last summer’s Conservative leadership contest.

During his unsuccessful campaign, having only become Britain’s leader in October after Ms Truss exited No10 following her disastrous mini-budget, Mr Sunak declared China “the biggest long-term threat to Britain”, while also promising to close all 30 of Beijing’s Confucius Institutes in the UK.

The institutes promote Chinese culture on campuses in higher education as well as in some British schools.

Speaking to the wider West, Ms Truss said: “There are those who say they don’t want another Cold War.

“But this is not a choice we are in a position to make because China has already embarked on a self-reliance drive, whether we want to decouple from their economy or not.

“China is growing its navy at an alarming rate and is undertaking the biggest military build-up in peacetime history. They have already formed alliances with other nations that want to see the free world in decline.

“They have already made a choice about their strategy. The only choice we have is whether we appease and accommodate – or we take action to prevent conflict.”

Speaking to the Prospect Foundation, Ms Truss will say: “Last summer, the now British Prime Minister described China as ‘the biggest long-term threat to Britain’ and said the Confucius Institutes should be closed.

“He was right and we need to see those policies enacted urgently.

“The UK’S integrated review needs to be amended to state clearly that China is a threat.

“Confucius Institutes should be closed down immediately. Instead the service could be provided by organisations with the support of Hong Kong nationals and Taiwanese nationals who have come to the UK on a free basis.”

Ms Truss is expected to urge the West not to work with China, warning that totalitarian regimes “don’t tell the truth”.