![]() ![]() Chinese investment is now seen as a key potential driver of Chinese state intentions and influence. That sentiment has evidently changed since then. ![]() I remember a banker in the City of London telling me during the 2008 global economic crisis that we had little to fear from Chinese money being invested in Britain, because it would need to be used in accordance with our rules and systems. The question is whether the former has caused the latter, or vice versa. One striking phenomenon in recent years has been that talk of China’s threat has increased almost in parallel with the decline of western self-confidence. But the threat could still be being exaggerated. In recent weeks we have seen plenty of evidence of how chaotic and divided even the upper reaches of the party can be: earlier this month the foreign minister, Qin Gang, went missing, and was soon after removed from power and in recent days there has been an apparent purge of key military figures in sensitive sectors. Much of this has spilled over to the outside world, with state agents pursuing their enemies across the world, prompting claims of China having police based abroad.ĭespite this, the ISC report imputes to China a level of coherent strategic intent and a threat so systemic and grave that it is flattering – at least to the people around Xi. ![]() Under Xi, the Chinese Communist party has been ruthless in dealing with internal dissent, closing down space for what was once legitimate domestic debate, and placing media and non-governmental organisations under huge restrictions. There is much about China that is a problem, for sure. ![]()
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