UK warns of risk of conflict with China in Asia-Pacific region

The UK has warned China that its lack of transparency over its military expansion in the Asia-Pacific region risks a “tragic miscalculation.” Speaking at the annual Shangri-La Dialogue security summit in Singapore, UK Defense Secretary Ben Wallace expressed concern over China’s growing military capabilities and its aggressive behavior in the region.

Wallace stated that the UK was committed to working with its partners in the region to promote security and stability, but warned that China’s lack of transparency over its military buildup was causing anxiety among its neighbors.

“China’s increasing military capabilities are of concern to many in the region, and its aggressive behavior is causing anxiety,” Wallace said. “Without greater transparency and openness from China, there is a risk of a tragic miscalculation that could lead to conflict.”

James Cleverly, the British foreign minister, will call on China to provide more transparency about its recent military expansion and warn that the lack of openness could lead to a catastrophic misjudgment.

Cleverly will emphasize the need for robust and constructive relations with Beijing while encouraging the country to be clear about its military objectives. Cleverly will urge China to be transparent about the reasons behind its biggest peacetime military build-up. China’s actions have sparked concerns in Britain, and Cleverly will call for clear military intentions and doctrine to avoid misunderstanding and tragedy.

Cleverly’s speech will emphasize that Britain will protect its national security interests and call out Beijing if it breaks its international obligations or violates human rights. He will condemn the Chinese government’s treatment of Uyghur people in Xinjiang, saying that Beijing is building a 21st-century version of the gulag archipelago by locking up more than a million people.

Our position on China. pic.twitter.com/88f90PTyjk

— James Cleverly🇬🇧 (@JamesCleverly) April 26, 2023

China’s military expansion in the Asia-Pacific region has been a growing concern for many countries in the region, particularly as China has become increasingly assertive in pursuing its territorial claims in the South China Sea. The Chinese government has also been accused of human rights abuses against its Muslim minority population in Xinjiang and its crackdown on pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong.

The UK has been working to deepen its relationships with countries in the Asia-Pacific region, including Japan, Australia, and India, as part of its post-Brexit “Global Britain” strategy. The UK has also been seeking to assert its presence in the region through the deployment of its newest aircraft carrier, HMS Queen Elizabeth, and other military assets.

Wallace’s warning comes as tensions between China and the West continue to rise over a range of issues, including trade, human rights, and military expansion. With both sides unwilling to back down, the risk of a miscalculation leading to conflict is growing, and the UK’s warning is a reminder of the dangers of an increasingly unpredictable geopolitical landscape.