Abstract

The Truss administration tried to solve the UK's most intractable inflation and livelihood issues in decades with misguided and radical policies and was quickly driven out of office by the power of the market. The Sunak administration’s priority is to stabilize the market by balancing the government's budget, but it remains to be seen what political and social consequences will follow. Inescapable problems continue to haunt the new government. Brexit has triggered trade issues in Northern Ireland and the demand for a second Scottish independence referendum. These are great risks for the future political stability and territorial integrity of the UK. Diplomatically, the UK's international strategy of allying with the US and turning to the Indo-Pacific will remain unchanged and continue to be strengthened. Under such circumstances, emphasizing security over trade has been a major trend in the UK’s policy towards China, and the prospects for improving UK-China relations are dim. China should maintain its determination, keep an eye on the situation and deal with regional or functional matters involving the UK in a targeted way.

The UK is now facing the most serious inflation and livelihood issues in decades, which may inevitably lead to fiscal austerity and soaring social turmoil. The waves of strike have emerged, and factional divisions and ideological disputes within the Conservative Party may intensify again at any time. Meanwhile, trade status issues in Northern Ireland due to Brexit and the demand for a second referendum on independence in Scotland will continue to plague the new ministry, and the future political stability and territorial integrity of the United Kingdom are at great risk.  In terms of diplomacy, Britain's diplomatic strategy of following the US and shifting to the Indo-Pacific will not change and will be reinforced. In this situation, emphasizing security over trade and economy is the general trend of the UK's policy on China, and the prospect of improvements in UK-China relations is very dim.