Alarm bells continue to ring in the West over Chinese state-owned enterprises
Western governments appear increasingly skittish about allowing Chinese firms to invest in strategically important industries. (Photo: Alamy)
A U-turn from the UK, as seen in last month’s Integrated Review, typifies concern over the risk of Chinese interference in strategically important industries.
Western governments are scrutinising investment ties with Beijing as worries multiply over repercussions for national security. The debate over Huawei's involvement in the worldwide rollout of 5G infrastructure has come to symbolise such concerns.
The UK is no exception but its change in tone is quite abrupt. In 2015, the government’s Strategic Defence and Security Review waxed lyrical about the prospect of investment deals with China, setting the lofty ambition of making Britain ‘China’s leading partner in the West’.
Six years later, attempts at forging a ‘golden decade’ of Anglo-Chinese economic relations lie in tatters, to the extent that the latest
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Defence Notes
-
![Taiwan approved for purchase of $11 billion in weapons from US]()
Taiwan approved for purchase of $11 billion in weapons from US
The US State Department’s approval of a multi-billion-dollar sale of weapons to Taiwan includes tactical mission networks equipment, uncrewed aerial systems, artillery rocket systems and self-propelled howitzers as well as anti-tank guided missiles.
-
![US National Security Strategy prioritises advanced military capabilities and national industry]()
US National Security Strategy prioritises advanced military capabilities and national industry
The 2025 NSS has emphasised investment in the US nuclear and air defence inventory and national industry, but it leaves multiple unanswered questions on how the White House will implement this approach.
-
![Canada set to look away from its neighbour and across the Atlantic for partners]()
Canada set to look away from its neighbour and across the Atlantic for partners
While non-EU UK struggles to join the Security Action for Europe initiative, which provides loans for defence programmes, Canada has become the first country outside Europe to get access – and did so for a nominal fee.
-
![NATO experiments with solutions to integrate networks, AI and uncrewed systems]()
NATO experiments with solutions to integrate networks, AI and uncrewed systems
During the latest edition of the NATO DiBaX, the alliance tested multiple capabilities to inform requirements for future efforts.
