Perspective on the Pandemic: British PM’s Ties With the Chinese Regime
Tian Yun
April 17, 2020 Updated: April 21, 2020
Commentary
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced on March 27 that he tested positive for the CCP virus.
Johnson is the leader of the ruling Conservative Party. Since taking office as prime minister on July 24, 2019, he has encountered pressure and criticism on issues such as Brexit, Huawei, and its role in Britain’s 5G networks, British–U.S. relations, and China policy.
Johnson, 55, is one of the highest-profile patients in the world to be infected with the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, commonly known as the novel coronavirus.
The Epoch Times editorial article, “Where Ties With Communist China Are Close, the Coronavirus Follows,” suggests that “the heaviest-hit regions outside China all share a common thread: close or lucrative relations with the communist regime in Beijing.”
So what are Johnson’s ties with the CCP?
In ancient China, every time disasters befell the empire, leaders and officials reflected on themselves. In history, there were 79 emperors that issued a “Condemnation on Oneself” to examine their own faults, hoping to seek forgiveness and protection from heaven. Applying traditional principles of governing the country, we can also draw lessons for today’s society.
This article attempts to analyze some missteps of Johnson’s governance.
Britain Gives Green Light to Huawei
On Jan. 28, Johnson announced that Britain would allow “high-risk suppliers” to participate in the construction of the “non-sensitive part” of the UK’s 5G network to a limited extent, which means giving a green light to Huawei. Some U.S. officials and British conservative politicians were disappointed with Johnson’s decision.
On the same day, Zhang Jiangang, vice president of Huawei, welcomed the UK’s decision of allowing Huawei to participate in its 5G network. “Huawei is relieved because of this,” Zhang told Chinese state-run media Xinhua.
On Jan. 30, the BBC stated in a report that the UK’s decision “is undoubtedly an endorsement that will make Beijing happy.”
Huawei insiders reveal that the company has close ties with the CCP, and has been accused of stealing from others to develop its own technology. The Trump administration has sought to convince allies to ban Huawei from 5G networks over security concerns. However, Johnson ignored the U.S. warning and concerns voiced by British lawmakers.
Tom Tugendhat, Conservative member of Parliament (MP) and former head of the British Parliament’s foreign affairs committee, opposed Johnson’s decision to allow Huawei access to Britain’s 5G networks. He used the analogy of “allowing the fox into the hen house when really we should be guarding the wire.” Tugendhat wrote on Twitter that the government’s “statement leaves many concerns and does not close the UK’s networks to a frequently malign international actor.”
Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), member of the U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee, called for “a thorough review of U.S.-U.K. intelligence-sharing” after the UK decision was announced. He said, “I fear London has freed itself from Brussels only to cede sovereignty to Beijing.” He added that the British decision “is like allowing the KGB to build its telephone network during the Cold War.”
On Feb. 18, Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage criticized the decision to let Huawei into 5G networks and called it “the worst decision any British government has made in years.”
“It threatens the Five Eyes partnership, our prospects of a new trade agreement with the US and Australia and perhaps even the future of NATO,” he said.
After the official decision, 38 members of the British Conservative Party who advocated the exclusion of Huawei proposed an amendment to the Telecommunications Infrastructure Bill. The proposal would require the UK to terminate Huawei and other “high-risk” companies’ participation in domestic 5G network construction by Dec. 31, 2022.
On March 10, the parliament rejected the proposal, with Johnson’s government winning the vote by 306 to 282, Reuters reported.
Huawei in London
The UK is one of the European countries that cooperate with Huawei closely. Although the British government is aware of certain security issues with Huawei’s products, it believes that the risks are manageable. The British approach represents the European mode of acceptance of Huawei, which allowed it to slowly expand in the past decade.
After Johnson took office, Huawei’s business activities in London remained high-profile and active. In September 2019, Chinese mainland media quoted U.S. news outlet Business Insider, revealing that Huawei had already set up a new artificial intelligence (AI) research laboratory in London. It is reported that the new laboratory is part of Huawei’s OpenLab global research and collaboration center network. A source familiar with Huawei ’s plan pointed out that the company planned to staff the office with 200 AI research engineers.
On Dec. 16, 2019, Huawei’s 5G Innovation and Experience Center in London was unveiled. The center is located in one of the largest shared office spaces in the Europe-Kekong Global Building.
On Feb. 24, Huawei held a virtual press conference on new products and solutions, themed “TOGETHER, Connecting Possibilities.”
American columnist Nick Kristoff said in his opinion article, “I’ve Seen the Best and Worst of China”: “If a company like Huawei is asked to cooperate with Chinese State Security spies, its executives simply can’t say no.”
Johnson’s China-Friendly Stance
On July 23, 2019, the day before Johnson took office, Hong Kong Phoenix Television interviewed him. Johnson said, “We are very enthusiastic about the Belt and Road Initiative. We are very interested in what President Xi is doing [for the plan].”
Johnson also mentioned in the interview that the UK is the first Western country to join the China-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), and he would do his best to keep the UK as the “most open economy in Europe.” Johnson said: “Don’t forget [we are] the most open international investment [destination], particularly [for] Chinese investment. We have Chinese companies coming in to do Hinkley, for instance, the big nuclear power plant.”[see next post]
Perspective on the Pandemic: British PM’s Ties With the Chinese Regime
Tian Yun
April 17, 2020 Updated: April 21, 2020
Commentary
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced on March 27 that he tested positive for the CCP virus.
Johnson is the leader of the ruling Conservative Party. Since taking office as prime minister on July 24, 2019, he has encountered pressure and criticism on issues such as Brexit, Huawei, and its role in Britain’s 5G networks, British–U.S. relations, and China policy.
Johnson, 55, is one of the highest-profile patients in the world to be infected with the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, commonly known as the novel coronavirus.
The Epoch Times editorial article, “Where Ties With Communist China Are Close, the Coronavirus Follows,” suggests that “the heaviest-hit regions outside China all share a common thread: close or lucrative relations with the communist regime in Beijing.”
So what are Johnson’s ties with the CCP?
In ancient China, every time disasters befell the empire, leaders and officials reflected on themselves. In history, there were 79 emperors that issued a “Condemnation on Oneself” to examine their own faults, hoping to seek forgiveness and protection from heaven. Applying traditional principles of governing the country, we can also draw lessons for today’s society.
This article attempts to analyze some missteps of Johnson’s governance.
Britain Gives Green Light to Huawei
On Jan. 28, Johnson announced that Britain would allow “high-risk suppliers” to participate in the construction of the “non-sensitive part” of the UK’s 5G network to a limited extent, which means giving a green light to Huawei. Some U.S. officials and British conservative politicians were disappointed with Johnson’s decision.
On the same day, Zhang Jiangang, vice president of Huawei, welcomed the UK’s decision of allowing Huawei to participate in its 5G network. “Huawei is relieved because of this,” Zhang told Chinese state-run media Xinhua.
On Jan. 30, the BBC stated in a report that the UK’s decision “is undoubtedly an endorsement that will make Beijing happy.”
Huawei insiders reveal that the company has close ties with the CCP, and has been accused of stealing from others to develop its own technology. The Trump administration has sought to convince allies to ban Huawei from 5G networks over security concerns. However, Johnson ignored the U.S. warning and concerns voiced by British lawmakers.
Tom Tugendhat, Conservative member of Parliament (MP) and former head of the British Parliament’s foreign affairs committee, opposed Johnson’s decision to allow Huawei access to Britain’s 5G networks. He used the analogy of “allowing the fox into the hen house when really we should be guarding the wire.” Tugendhat wrote on Twitter that the government’s “statement leaves many concerns and does not close the UK’s networks to a frequently malign international actor.”
Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), member of the U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee, called for “a thorough review of U.S.-U.K. intelligence-sharing” after the UK decision was announced. He said, “I fear London has freed itself from Brussels only to cede sovereignty to Beijing.” He added that the British decision “is like allowing the KGB to build its telephone network during the Cold War.”
On Feb. 18, Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage criticized the decision to let Huawei into 5G networks and called it “the worst decision any British government has made in years.”
“It threatens the Five Eyes partnership, our prospects of a new trade agreement with the US and Australia and perhaps even the future of NATO,” he said.
After the official decision, 38 members of the British Conservative Party who advocated the exclusion of Huawei proposed an amendment to the Telecommunications Infrastructure Bill. The proposal would require the UK to terminate Huawei and other “high-risk” companies’ participation in domestic 5G network construction by Dec. 31, 2022.
On March 10, the parliament rejected the proposal, with Johnson’s government winning the vote by 306 to 282, Reuters reported.
Huawei in London
The UK is one of the European countries that cooperate with Huawei closely. Although the British government is aware of certain security issues with Huawei’s products, it believes that the risks are manageable. The British approach represents the European mode of acceptance of Huawei, which allowed it to slowly expand in the past decade.
After Johnson took office, Huawei’s business activities in London remained high-profile and active. In September 2019, Chinese mainland media quoted U.S. news outlet Business Insider, revealing that Huawei had already set up a new artificial intelligence (AI) research laboratory in London. It is reported that the new laboratory is part of Huawei’s OpenLab global research and collaboration center network. A source familiar with Huawei ’s plan pointed out that the company planned to staff the office with 200 AI research engineers.
On Dec. 16, 2019, Huawei’s 5G Innovation and Experience Center in London was unveiled. The center is located in one of the largest shared office spaces in the Europe-Kekong Global Building.
On Feb. 24, Huawei held a virtual press conference on new products and solutions, themed “TOGETHER, Connecting Possibilities.”
American columnist Nick Kristoff said in his opinion article, “I’ve Seen the Best and Worst of China”: “If a company like Huawei is asked to cooperate with Chinese State Security spies, its executives simply can’t say no.”
Johnson’s China-Friendly Stance
On July 23, 2019, the day before Johnson took office, Hong Kong Phoenix Television interviewed him. Johnson said, “We are very enthusiastic about the Belt and Road Initiative. We are very interested in what President Xi is doing [for the plan].”
Johnson also mentioned in the interview that the UK is the first Western country to join the China-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), and he would do his best to keep the UK as the “most open economy in Europe.” Johnson said: “Don’t forget [we are] the most open international investment [destination], particularly [for] Chinese investment. We have Chinese companies coming in to do Hinkley, for instance, the big nuclear power plant.”[see next post]
Perspective on the Pandemic: British PM’s Ties With the Chinese Regime
