introduction
Artificial intelligence (AI) is an important field in today's world, involving scientific and technological innovation, economic development, social governance, international cooperation and other aspects.
In order to cope with the various challenges and opportunities brought by AI, British Prime Minister Sunak plans to hold the first Global AI Security Summit in London in early November, inviting leaders and representatives from many countries and regions, including the United States, France, Canada, the European Union and other countries.
However, according to the British newspaper The Guardian, Sunak intends to ban Chinese officials from participating in half of the agenda, that is, only allowing Chinese delegates to attend the first day's meeting, and not allowing Chinese to participate in the second day's agenda.
What is Sunak's reasoning for doing this? Is he aware of the negative impact this could have on UK-China relations and global AI cooperation? Will Sunak really be able to say "no" to China in AI? This article will analyze these problems from the following aspects.
First, Sunak's background and motivation for banning China from half of the AI summit's agenda
Sunak's ban on China on half of the AI summit's agenda comes amid shifts and tensions in UK policy toward China in recent years. Since the 2016 Brexit referendum, the British government has sought closer economic, trade and security ties with countries outside the EU, including China.
In 2018, then-Prime Minister Theresa May visited China, signed a £9 billion (US$12 billion) business deal and announced a "golden age"2.
However, with the strong hardening of US China policy and the outbreak of the Sino-US trade war, the UK has also begun to adopt a more vigilant and hostile attitude towards China.
In 2019, the UK announced that it would exclude Huawei from its 5G network construction, claiming that Huawei posed a national security threat. In 2020, the UK criticized China's implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law in Hong Kong and announced that it would provide immigration facilities to Hong Kong residents.
In 2021, the UK accused China of violating Uyghur human rights in Xinjiang and imposed sanctions on Chinese officials and entities involved in Xinjiang.
In addition, the UK has also strengthened military cooperation with the United States, Japan, Australia and other so-called "alliances" and "partners", and participated in the "Indo-Pacific strategy" against China.
Sunak's motivation for banning China from half of the AI summit's agenda was to show its tough stance on China and to courtship Western countries such as the United States.
After Sunak took office, he showed a different attitude towards China than his predecessor Truss. He once called China a "threat" and vowed to maintain a "frank and constructive relationship" with it.
He has also said he would not formally list China as a "threat" to Britain in his foreign policy review, as Truss did.
However, Sunak's moderate posture did not receive a response from China, but was pressured and criticized by the United States and other Western countries.
US President Joe Biden, in a meeting with Sunak, urged him to align himself with the United States on the issue of China and said that "there is no reason to defend China." There are also some Conservative MPs and media in the UK who have asked Sunak to take a tougher stance on China, believing that he is too weak and confused on China.
Therefore, Sunak may want to use the AI summit as an opportunity to show the outside world his determination and ability on the China issue, as well as his loyalty and support for Western values.
Second, the impact and consequences of Sunak's ban on China from participating in half of the agenda of the AI summit
The impact and consequences of Sunak's ban on China on half of the AI summit's agenda are very serious and negative.
First of all, this approach will further worsen China-UK relations, resulting in obstruction and destruction of bilateral cooperation in the political, economic, cultural and other fields. China is the UK's third largest trading partner, and the two sides have extensive exchanges and cooperation in education, science and technology, finance, tourism and other fields.
Sunak's move is undoubtedly disrespectful and discriminatory against China, and is a serious provocation and damage to Sino-British relations. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian has already expressed strong dissatisfaction and warned Britain not to make the wrong decision.
If the UK continues along this path, China-UK relations will face greater crises and difficulties, and the two sides will lose more cooperation opportunities and interests.
Second, this approach will weaken the representativeness and significance of the AI Summit and affect the effectiveness and quality of global AI cooperation. The goal of the AI Summit is to explore "how the international community should respond to various challenges in the field of AI in the coming years".
However, if China is excluded as an important player and contributor in the global AI field, then the AI Summit cannot reflect the real situation and needs of global AI development, nor can it formulate effective and feasible global AI rules and standards.
In fact, China's industrial scale and technological development in the field of AI are in the leading position in the world, and China has the world's largest number of AI companies, the most AI patents, the most AI papers, and the most AI talents.
China has also actively participated in the construction of global AI governance, and put forward a series of initiatives and schemes such as "New Generation Artificial Intelligence Development Plan", "New Smart City Development Guide", and "Global Data Security Initiative".
If the UK excludes China from the AI summit, it will not only be unfair treatment of China, but also self-deprivation of global AI cooperation.
The feasibility and limitations of Sunak's ban on China from participating in half of the AI summit's agenda
The feasibility of Sunak banning China from half of the agenda of the AI summit is very low, because this approach will not only be strongly opposed and resisted by China, but also cause dissatisfaction and doubts in other countries and regions.
First of all, China will not accept such discriminatory and hegemonic practices of the United Kingdom, but will take corresponding measures to safeguard its legitimate rights and dignity.
China may refuse to participate in the AI Summit, or put forward its position and demands at the AI Summit, or retaliate and sanction the UK on other international occasions.
Second, other countries and regions will not support the UK's approach, but will see it as an act that undermines global AI cooperation and governance. Other countries and regions may express dissatisfaction and protests against the UK, or demand that the UK change its practices, or strengthen communication and coordination with China in the field of AI.
Therefore, Sunak's feasibility of banning China from half of the agenda of the AI Summit is very low, and he may face pressure and difficulties from all sides.
Sunak's ban on China from participating in half of the AI Summit agenda is very limited, because this approach cannot solve the various problems and challenges facing the UK in the field of AI, but may exacerbate the UK's backwardness and isolation in the field of AI.
First of all, this approach cannot stop China's development and progress in the field of AI, nor can it weaken China's influence and competitiveness in the field of AI.
China has a strong industrial foundation, technical strength, market demand, talent resources and other advantages in the field of AI, and China has also established extensive AI cooperation with other developing countries and emerging markets.
Sunak's ban on China on half of the AI Summit agenda does not change these facts, nor does it prevent China from achieving more in the field of AI.
Second, this approach will not enhance the UK's innovation capacity and competitive advantage in the field of AI, nor can it protect the UK's security interests in the field of AI.
The UK is facing problems such as backward technology, lack of talent, insufficient funds, and lagging supervision in the field of AI, and the UK is also constrained and competitive in the field of AI from other Western countries and regions such as the United States and the European Union.
Sunak's ban on China from half of the AI summit's agenda does not solve these problems and does not safeguard the UK's security interests in AI.
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To sum up, Sunak's ban on China from participating in half of the AI Summit agenda is a wrong and foolish approach, which is neither feasible nor meaningful, and will only bring negative impacts and consequences to China-UK relations and global AI cooperation.
Sunak should realize that in today's world, no country or region can cope with the various challenges and opportunities brought by AI alone, and only through open, inclusive, cooperative and win-win methods can the healthy development and good governance of AI be achieved.
Sunak should abandon his tough stance on China, change his China policy, and establish an AI cooperative relationship with China based on mutual respect and trust, so as to inject new vitality and impetus into China-UK relations and global AI cooperation.