Britain is to form a deeper relationship with our ‘Five-Eyes’ intelligence partners that will see heavy investment in areas China dominates – such as technology and research. In light of Beijing’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic, Downing Street figures have warned of a ‘reckoning’ with the Chinese government. However, the Covid-19 outbreak and the situation in Hong Kong has stiffened No 10’s resolve to ‘reset and rebalance’ relations. The Chancellor warned that ‘putting up an economic wall’ risked hampering Britain’s GDP and slowing recovery, and he was backed heavily by Business Secretary Alok Sharma. An ally of Mr Johnson said: ‘The PM is trying to steer a moderate course between the China-bashers on the backbenches and those…who worry about retreating into economic isolationism’.

Source: Daily Mail June 06, 2020 22:34 UTC