Britain, once the empire on which the sun never sets, with the most powerful navy and colonies in the world, is a leader and role model for the Western world. However, with the vicissitudes of history, Britain's glory has ceased to exist, and has been replaced by a series of crises and challenges that have plunged the island nation into an unprecedented predicament.
Recently, the UK economy has faced serious challenges. According to British media reports, the financial woes of Nottingham and Birmingham, two major cities, have become the focus of international media attention. The two cities already have more debt than their annual budgets, and there is not enough money to pay for public services and staff salaries.
If urgent measures are not taken, the two cities could declare bankruptcy in the coming months. This is undoubtedly a heavy blow to the UK, and it is also a warning that the British economy has reached the edge of the cliff.
In such a crisis, British Chancellor of the Exchequer Sunak has always taken a tough attitude towards China, constantly provoking and sanctioning China, trying to sacrifice Sino-British relations in exchange for the support of the United States and the trust of the European Union. Such an approach not only did not bring any benefit to the UK, but instead deprived the UK of an important trading partner and source of investment, and exacerbated Britain's economic difficulties.
So why is Britain in such a crisis, and what is the purpose of Sunak's hardline policy towards China?
The decline of the British economy
The decline of the British economy is a long-term process with many reasons. Among them, the main reason is Brexit. Brexit is a historic decision by the United Kingdom to leave the European Union in a referendum held on June 23, 2016 with 50.9% of the vote. This decision has sparked global shock and worry, and has also brought huge uncertainty and risks to the UK.
Brexit means that the UK will lose the huge single market of the European Union, and will also lose the protection and constraints of the EU's policies and laws. The UK will have to renegotiate trade deals and partnerships with the EU and other countries, which will take a lot of time and energy, and will also face all kinds of difficulties and resistance.
Brexit has also led to large fluctuations in the British currency and stock market, with the exchange rate of the pound falling to its lowest point in 30 years, and the economic growth of the United Kingdom slowing to the lowest level in nearly a decade.
Brexit has also triggered divisions and turmoil within the United Kingdom, with regions such as Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales all expressing dissatisfaction and opposition to Brexit, and even some regions have put forward demands for a new independence referendum. Brexit is an isolated path chosen by Britain itself, and it is the result of Britain's own reaping the consequences.
Sunak's hardline policy towards China
Sunak is the current Chancellor of the Exchequer and the right-hand man of British Prime Minister Johnson. He succeeded Javid as Chancellor of the Exchequer in February 2020, becoming the first Indian in British history to hold the post. Sunak is a typical Conservative who supports Brexit and the UK's close relationship with the United States.
His attitude towards China has always been tough and hostile. He believes that China is a strategic competitor of Britain and a security threat to Britain. He opposes cooperation between Britain and China in the fields of science and technology, trade and investment, and also opposes Britain maintaining communication and coordination with China in international affairs. He has repeatedly criticized and smeared China in public, and even put forward some unreasonable demands and sanctions.
For example, he demanded that China take responsibility for the pandemic, demanded that China stop alleged human rights abuses in places such as Hong Kong and Xinjiang, demanded that China respect Taiwan's sovereignty, demanded that China abandon its territorial claims in the South China Sea, and demanded that China stop economic retaliation against countries such as Australia, and so on.
These demands and sanctions have not only failed to meet with China's response and cooperation, but have intensified the contradictions and conflicts between China and the UK, causing Sino-UK relations to fall to a freezing point. Sunak's hardline policy toward China has not only brought no benefits to the UK, but has deprived the UK of an important trading partner and source of investment, exacerbating the UK's economic woes.
The prospects and the way out for the UK
Britain is a country with a long history and culture, and it is also a country with extensive influence and friendly relations. Britain should not give up its rationality and judgment because of temporary difficulties and setbacks, nor should it cut off its own development and opportunities because of some erroneous decisions and policies.
Britain needs to re-examine its international status and role, recalibrate its diplomatic and economic strategies, and re-establish its trust and cooperation. The UK needs to realize that China is a country of peaceful development and win-win cooperation.
Britain needs to respect China's sovereignty and interests, understand China's history and culture, and accept China's development and changes. The UK needs to establish an equal and mutually beneficial relationship with China, to carry out multi-field and multi-level cooperation with China, and to jointly respond to global challenges and crises with China.
epilogue
Britain is a great country and a charming country. The UK has abundant resources and excellent talents. Britain has a glorious history and a bright future. Britain should not be trapped by the crisis, nor should it be mistaken by Sunak.
Britain should face the reality bravely and grasp the opportunity wisely. Britain should be reconciled with China and should cooperate with China. Britain should have a win-win situation with China and a common prosperity with China. In this way, Britain can regain its confidence and dignity, rebuild its image and status, and return to its own glory and glory.