UK making up China policy ‘as it goes along’, MPs warn

Commons committee says lack of coherent strategy is hampering business and leaving national security risks unaddressed

The UK is making up policy on China “as it goes along” and risks having its strategy dictated by Washington or Beijing, a parliamentary report has concluded.

An investigation by the Commons business, innovation, science and trade select committee said Labour’s failure to formulate a coherent strategy since 2024 “combined the worst of both worlds” for the UK in relation to China.

Liam Byrne, Labour MP and chair of the committee said the UK’s policy on China meant it was also endangering its business with the EU with the risk of being “cut off” from big manufacuring contracts.