Britain in the world, with data and bilateral focus. Views, regrettably, my own. Ruthlessly optimistic. Very much into disco. Mostly stuff I'm reading.
Putting the official Beijing to Britain website into dormancy, and going back over some stats.
The work I produced was read over a million times, 75,000 times alone in November 2023. My notes were read across 140+ countries (nearly 500 of my subscribers being in California?)
Excellent maiden speech by new MP
@YuanfenYang
.
Particularly poignant bit: "I fundamentally believe that our democracy is worth fighting for...I was born in China in 1990, a country without the right to vote."
Interesting and fairly classic move.
UK Govt appoints its Head of China Strategic Analysis at the Foreign Office to....become High Commissioner to...Gabon.
🇬🇧🇬🇦
Simon Day has been appointed British High Commissioner to the Gabonese Republic.
@UKinGabon
Interestingly, he was most recently Head of China Strategic Analysis at the Foreign Office.
The Government's team of foreign policy, military and analyst experts have published a look at the key Global Strategic Trends from now until 2055.
It's nearly 500 pages.
Here are the key ideas and concepts they discuss.
🧵
Big day for those of us who care about Select Committees.
As expected, Labour looks like it will get chairs for Defence, Foreign Affairs, Business and Trade, International Development, and Science, Innovation and Technology among others.
Lib Dems get 3, Tories 5
My final written output from Beijing to Britain. A culmination of nearly four years of thinking about the UK-China bilateral every single day.
Arriving at some point in the next 48 hours.
✌️
This week the UK arrested three people under the new National Security Act for aiding Chinese intelligence, and GCHQ said it devoted more resources to China than anything else. I wrote on the UK's changing view of China & the policy challenges that remain.
Britain's next likely Foreign Secretary has a long profile in The New Statesman.
Here's what we learn about David Lammy's foreign policy views - described as a doctrine by the author (I would, politely, disagree)
🧵
Just took 93yr mum to vote, she’s registered blind. In a very loud voice she said, “Which box for a significant and accountable investment in UK China capabilities?” A cheer went up from waiting voters.
As a leaving move, I've assembled some of my favourite folk for an evening of UK-China discussions.
It should be fascinating and informative.
Save the date: Wed, 26 Jun 2024 17:30 - 20:30 BST
RSVP: