What Is the China-UK Comprehensive Strategic
Partnership?
——An analysis on Sino-British bilateral relations over the last decade (2004-2014) The last decade(2004-2014) has witnessed positive and stable development in overall relations between the Peoples‘Republic of China and The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in spite of twists and turns. Former Premier Wen Jiabao paid an official visit to London in May, 2004 and signed a joint statement with the UK on behalf of China, which announces the establishment of the comprehensive strategic partnership as well as a mechanism for annual meeting between the Premier and Prime Minister and to identify priority fields of cooperation between the two(Overview1). Since then, the Sino-British relations have entered a new phase where it maintains frequent high-level exchanges and contacts, and establishes the prime ministerial-level annual meeting mechanism, the economic and financial dialogue, the bilateral relations interaction groups, the strategic dialogue and the mechanisms for consultation and dialogue on strategic security, foreign policy, human rights and arms control(Ibid). After the Premier Li Keqiang‘s visit to London in June 2014, during which both sides have agreed that their ―comprehensivestrategic partnership‖has become an indispensable element of each other‘s foreign policy agendas, relations between China and the UK have again generated heated discussions around the world——―what is the China-UK comprehensive strategic partnership1 and how to observe it as an bilateral cooperative paradigm for two great powers?‖
This essay will endeavor to analyze the main characteristics of Sino-British relations over the last decade from 2004 to 2014, highlighting both countries‘achievements within the CUCSP. It will also try to elaborate the significance of establishing such a partnership, not only from the perspectives of China and the UK but also from that of the world. This paper will further discuss possible hindrances in the future development of the Sino-British relations when economics, politics and historic issues are taken into consideration. Last but not least, this article will make an attempt to boldly forecast thedevelopment tendency of this interactive and cooperative paradigm in existence.
Features of The CUCSP
“Comprehensive”: all-round cooperation with an economy-dominated character
Since the establishment of the CUCSP, it has been defined as a collaboration dedicated to strengthening communication between the two in all possible fields, coordinating mutual stances and consolidating all-round cooperation. In retrospect, China and the UK have successfully set up this ―comprehensive‖cooperative paradigm over the last decade, which can be strongly expounded by their achievements in addressing global issues, encouraging frequent cultural exchanges as well as promoting bilateral trade and investment. However, if detecting their campaigns deeper and further, it will be obvious that it is an economy-dominated partnership that lays far more emphasis on economic cooperation than the other aspects. This inclination to let the bilateral trade and investment take the leading role even embodies an impression that the Sino-UK relations follow the ―hot-economy but cold-politics‖mode like that of the Sino-Japanese（Jingwei1).
The CUCSP has served its purposes well since 2004 when political aspects are taken into consideration. First, China and the UK have managed to strengthen their political mutual trust by raising the frequency of visits between leaders of both countries as well as establishing dialogue mechanism. For example, the two countries have finished building three pillars of the cooperation: the China-UK Economic and Financial Dialogue, the Strategic Dialogueand the China-UK High-
1 The China-UK comprehensive strategic partnership is hereinafter referred to as the CUCSP.
level People-to-People Dialogue over the last decade2, which effectively underpin the fruitful annual Premier‘s Summit started in 2004（Liu3, ―Article by Chinese Ambassador H.E. Liu Xiaoming‖1). In January 2009, the British Government issued its first China strategy paper, "The UK and China: A Framework for Engagement"4, which listed China as "a major priority" in the
UK's future foreign policy(Overview,1). Secondly, the two have also paid joint efforts in tackling global issues of shared interest and commitment over the ten years, through which they are also fulfilling their common promise of ―creating a world of greater security, prosperity and
openness(Liu, ―New Frontier‖1)‖. From world peace maintenance to free trade advocation; from climate change joint statement to poverty reduction campaigns; from development promotion to the reform of international economic and financial governance mechanisms such as the G20; the two countries in the CUCSP have successfully pushed their collaboration to the world frontier with steadiness and resolution. Therefore, it is justifiable to acknowledge their achievements in the political sense.
Likewise, this decade also marks the CUCSP‘s resounding success in promoting mutual cultural communication between China and the UK. By establishing this partnership which encourages people-to-people exchanges, common people in both countries are granted with more opportunities to have a bite of each other‘s culture in a wide variety of forms, such as: tourism, education abroad programs, media or even scientific researches. According to Liu Xiaoming, these cultural exchanges which are playing an increasingly notable role in fostering amity between China and the UK have grown dramatically with surprisingly favorable outcomes: ―Now, over one million visits are made between China and the UK every year. Chinese students studying in the UK have tripled to 130,000; this is the largest overseas students community in Britain. 25 Confucius Institutes and 94 Confucius Classrooms make Britain the leader in Mandarin studies in
Europe.Globally, Britain is China's second largest partner in scientific research. The citation rate of Sino-UK joint research papers, at 12 per cent, is four times the global average(Ibid).‖Given all the official statistics, it is undoubtedly that the CUCSP has positively influenced the development of cultural exchanges and communication between China and the United Kingdom from 2004 to 2014.
However, with too much focus on promoting bilateral trade and investment, the Sino-British relations have been criticized for being ―economy-oriented‖or even ―economy-biased‖despite all the achievements in different fields mentioned above. In the joint statement of China and the UK, both countries especially ―agreed to work together to push forward the bilateral cooperation in growth, reform and innovation.( ―Joint-statement‖1)This inclination for economic cooperation can be vigorously supported by statistics. First, the growing speed of the total volumeis https://www.doczj.com/doc/d72847232.html, exports of goods to China in 2013 were ￡12.4 billion. This is up by 18 per cent from 2012.From January to June 2014 UK exports of goods to China were ￡6.6 billion, an increase of 9 per cent from the same period in 2013. Imports of goods are up by 18 per cent at ￡19.0 billion(―Factsheet‖1). What is particularly worth mentioning is that , in the previous two years, Chinese investments and acquisitions in the UK reached 13 billion USD, more than the total amount of the past 30 years. Secondly, the amount of money involved in China-UK trade and investment projects is formidably huge. On China‘s premier Li Keqiang‘s visit to London in June 2014, he signed a large number of bilateral trade deals worth up to ￡14 billion(Hui 1). The Economic and Financial Dialogue5 established in 2008 and held annually between the two countries hasalso bred trade deals worth large sum of money. Takesome block-sale projects announced in the latest 6th EFD6as examples: the 2 T he China-UK Economic and Financial Dialogue was not established during the period of 2004-2014. Instead, it was established in 1998. However, the other two have been built as powerful supplementary supports of the dialogue mechanism in 2010 and 2012 respectively.
3 Liu, here referring to Liu Xiaoming, is the present Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
4“The UK and China: A Framework for Engagement” is an official document issued by the UK in 2004. It is the first strategic document concerning UK’s relations with China from British Administration.
5The Economic and Financial Dialogue is hereinafter referred to as EFD.
6 The 6th EFD: It is held by the Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne and Vice-Premier Ma Kai in London in September, 2014.
financial closing of the $1 billion UK-China partnership on the Malaysian Oil Terminal project, Greenland‘s ￡550 million investment into the Canary Wharf Hertsmere Tower project, as well as Hony Capital‘s ￡900 million acquisition of Pizza Express(―Factsheet‖ 1). Additionally, the economy-oriented character of Sino-British relations can also be revealed in both visits of David Cameron to China. In 2010, David Cameron led the ―largest delegation ever in 200 years‖on his maiden visit to china as British Prime Minister, in order to forge ―a much stronger‖relationship with China(Peter Foster, and Malcolm Moore 1). Compared with a small group of 4 cabinet ministers in the delegation, up to 50 business leaders of various fields like finance, green economy, energy and education account for most of the delegators, releasing an assignable signal that the UK expected nothing more eagerly than the economic cooperation.
The strongest criticism concerning this obvious inclination for the economic and financial cooperation between the two countries is that the Sino-British relations are in factfollowing the steps of the Sino-Japanese ones, namely ―cold politics but a hot economy（Hong 1)‖. The pragmatic diplomacy of the UK requires strict differentiation between relations with different countries. The basic principle is maintaining security cooperation and support with traditional allies while obtaining economic corporation with emerging countries. Apparently, China is not in the list of the ―traditional allies‖consisting of countries like the US, Australia, New Zealand and countries in the European Union. Politically, the UK is still collaborate with these countries. The British Foreign Minister William Hague visited the US and had an appointment with Hillary Clinton, the Secretary of State, immediately he came to the office. He voiced: ―The United States is undoubtedly the most important ally of the UK, considering our close and intense cooperation in military, diplomacy, security and intelligence.‖During Cameron‘s visit to China, the British Secretary of States for Defense showed positive gestures towards Japan over the Diaoyu island dispute between China and Japan. On 2nd December, 2013, the British Secretary of States for Defense visited Japan and expressed his supportto Japan‘s position regarding the establishment of the first Air Defense Identification Zone of China(Shi, Liu 11). By contrast, the United Kingdom puts more emphasis on economic cooperation with emerging countries to save itself from financial crisis. Apart from China, the UK is also promoting intense economic cooperation with India and Turkey over the last decade.
“Strategic”:Complementing strengths for a win-win situation
The ―Chinese Threat‖has been a hot topic in the world since the end of the Cold War(Chen 99). Evidences of this threat on military, economic, ideological, ecological and civilizational aspects have been exaggerated and distorted by countries like the US and its allies. However, within the CUCSP, the UK gives a clear answer to the question whether it should view China as a threat or an opportunity: the latter. Therefore, both countries have been strategically cooperating for mutual interests with complementary strengths in different fields from 2004 to 2014.
Mutual interests between China and the UK has been growing at a stunning speed, therefore the CUCSP provides an excellent opportunity for both countries to complement their strengthen in diverse fields and create a win-win situation. In the speech delivered by the Rt Hon Hugo Swire MP to the China-Britain Business Council7 in June, he stated the UK‘s position to China‘s peaceful rising by expound the complementary strengths of China and the UK as well as shedding lights on potential cooperative possibilities in the future. On the one hand, the UK can offer ―transparency; a genuinely level playing field; doorstep access to the world‘s premier centre for financial and business services; and a gateway into China‘s largest overseas market –the EU‖for Chinese entrepreneurs when they are craving for brand internalization; the UK can also help China diversify its foreign investment because US Treasury Bonds and investments dominate that in resources in
7 The China-Britain Business Council is one of the leading organizations helping UK companies grow and develop their business in China. Its missions is to help UK companies of all sizes and sectors, whether new entrants or established operations, access the full potential of the fastest growing market in the world. It is hereinafter referred to as CBBC.
developing countries; it may also provide valuable experience badly needed by China for urbanization(―The Changing Face‖1). On the other hand, Chinese solutions, manufacturing prowess and economic upgrade opportunities are well tailored for British technology, ingenuity and services expertise(―New Frontiers 1). The investment on infrastructure is indispensable but in short in the UK now because of deficit budget, and to the British government, China is help at hand. Examples can incalculable regarding the complementary advantages and strengths between the two.
Besides, China and the United Kingdom hold the same attitude toward many global issues which gain themselves benefits through the process of addressing the problems. As is stated in the Rt Hon Hugo Swire MP‘s speech, both of them ―see increased co-operation on global issues, including. Intellectual property is another area, with Baroness Neville-Rolfe leading a weighty delegation to China for UK-China Intellectual Property Symposium Week in September(―The Changing Face‖1).‖Apart from the issues mentioned above, they also argue for the reasonable objections against trade protectionism and promote free trade world-wide. Their shared position and joint efforts not only benefit the whole world environmentally and economically, but also create a win-win situation with mutual prosperity for China and the UK.
“Challenging”: Twists and Turns
Compared to UK‘s relations with its traditional allies and China‘s relations with countries like Pakistan, Cuba and North Korea, which have satisfactory stability, durability and longevity, the Sino-British relations are not immune from challenges and have experienced twists and turns even after the CUCSP has been established since the year of 2004.
The first bump the relations has encountered over the last decade is back in 2012, when the British Prime Minister met Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Xizangand completely infuriated Beijing. Since the establishment of CUCSP, the Sino-British relations had kept a good momentum of development. However, in May 2014, Cameron met the Dalai Lama, which in China's terms has about the same level of subtlety as Xi Jinping meeting Alex Salmond to "wish him well" in his campaign for Scottish independence or de Gaulle's notorious 1967 "Vive le Québec libre" speech. It was predictably met with the "big freeze"–British ministers being refused meetings with their senior Chinese counterparts(Luo 1).China‘s deputy Finance Minister Zhu Guangya stated: ―Frankly speaking, Sino-British relations were damaged because Prime Minister Cameron met with [the] Dalai,‖
After tasting the bitter fruit of Cameron‘s radical political actions, the Sino-British relations broke the ―big freeze‖and moved in a promising direction in 2014. However, the road does not seem to go smooth for China and the United Kingdom. Since early October, some pro-democracy activists have been demonstrating in the central district of Hong Kong to protest the government‘s decision regarding universal suffrage for the 2017 Chief Executive election. In October, Cameron issued his opinion in public that the UK has the duty to guarantee freedom of people in Hong Kong as is noted in the 1984 Joint Declaration of the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of the People's Republic of China on the Question of Hong Kong. A Foreign Affairs officer further explained the UK‘s position: ―It is Britain‘s longstanding position, as a co-signatory of the Sino-British Joint Declaration, that Hong Kong‘s prosperity and security are underpinned by its fundamental rights and freedoms, including the right to demonstrate. It is important for Hong Kong to preserve these rights and for Hong Kong people to exercise them within the law.8‖Then Commons Foreign Affairs Committee delegation asked for an ―inquiry‖into the Hong Kong "Occupy Central" campaign but was denied by the Chinese government. The Chinese Ambassador Xiaoming Liu stated China‘s position concerning this dispute: ―since the handover in 1997, Hong Kong has been, in every sense, part of China. Matters relating to Hong Kong, including political reform, are purely China's internal affairs. The so-called 8 The web-page containing this declaration was sourced from https://www.doczj.com/doc/d72847232.html, on December 14, 2014, however it is removed from the ANNOUNCEMENT of the UK government on December 20,2014.
inquiry amounts to interference in those affairs.(Liu 1)‖However, even though their delegation‘s entry request has been immediately denied, the UK still declares to look into this issue further.
The Significance of The CUCSP
To China
With the development of the CUCSP, China has benefits a lot from the in-depth cooperation with the UK over the last decade. Its tremendous significance to China can be valued in various aspects, among which are the internationalization of the RMB, importation ofadvanced science and technologies, promotion of the Sino-European relations, increasing world-wide cultural influence as well as prosperity of people-to-people exchanges through booming tourism.
Among all the significance of the CUCSP, its contribution to the internationalization of the RMB may be the most outstanding and unique compared to that of China‘s relations with other countries. Statistics show that the ―Square Mile,‖as the City of London is also known, has sustained its number one ranking among top international financial centers since the mid-17th century. In April 2012, London‘s foreign exchange transactions accounted for 38 percent of the global total –more than double that of the U.S., in second place. As the world‘s largest center for cross-border banking and credit, London has a 19 percent share of the global market. The city also takes the lead in derivatives trading, fund management and private equity investment(Li 2). London has been proactive in promoting construction of an RMB offshore trading hub. Since the pilot program in 2009, with buoyant market demand, cross-border and off-shore RMB business has made marked progress. This was the first step ofinternationalization of the RMB, facilitating investment and liberalizing trade between China and the rest of the world.Then, following the EFD in 2011, London became an off-shore RMB market.In just three years, London has successfully become pacemaker for off-shore RMB business in different areas:First, China and UK signed a currency swap agreement worth 20 billion pounds.Second, Britain was awarded the first RMB RQFII quota outside Asia. This quota allows UK based asset managers to invest directly into onshore stock, bonds and equities.Third, London has the largest volume of RMB business outside Asia.Fourth, the first RMB clearing bank outside Asia found its place in London. During Premier Li Keqiang's visit in June, China announced China Construction Bank to be the first UK clearing bank for RMB.Fifth, London is a leader in RMB denominated financial products. In 2012 HSBC issued a two-billion RMB bond. This was the first issuance of RMB bonds outside Asia. In November 2013 the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China issued 2 billion offshore RMB bonds. This was the first issuance of offshore RMB bonds in London by the headquarters of a Chinese domestic financial institution. In January 2014 Bank of China London branch for the first time issued 2.5 billion RMB bond as a branch. This offered another quality RMB investment product for British and European investors.Sixth, on September 12, China Development Bank issued in London a 2 billion RMB bond. This was the first quasi-sovereign bond in London.Seventh, during the sixth EFD, the UK Government announced its intention to issue RMB-denominated sovereign debt in London. This makes Britain the first foreign country to issue RMB sovereign debt. Income from it will become part of UK's foreign exchange reserve. This makes RMB one of the UK's foreign exchange reserve currencies. Its significance and implication is well beyond bilateral scope(―The London Opportunity For the Internationalization of RMB‖ 1). Deepening cooperation with the CUCSP in a wide range of areas is the corner stone of London's offshore RMB business.
The importation of science and technologies from the UK to China reveals how important the CUCSP has been for the latter. As anestablished capitalist country where Industrial Revolution first took place in the 17th century, the UK has accumulated a great deal of valuable experience of which China as a developing emerging country is lacking. First, In view of the UK‘s long history of urbanization,China‘s rapid urban growth, and both countries‘ desire to develop new and renewed cities,the experience and knowledge concerning sustainable urbanization offered by the UK may of great help to China, which considers urbanization as a key element of promoting growth, tackling
pollution, ensuring energy security and improving the lives of ordinary citizens(―Combined policy outcome‖ 5) Second, the UK‘s advanced space and green technology can also be learnt and utilized by China. The strengthen the cooperation between government, regulators and the banking sector for the development of green credit guidelines and agree to establish the China-UK space cooperation steering committee under the framework of the Memorandum of Understanding on Space Cooperation between CNSA and UKSA to guide and promote the space cooperation. Both sides agree to seek ways to enhance cooperation in the fields of micro satellite, deep space exploration and so on, and make full use of the space science and technology joint laboratory as a platform to actively promote the intent of cooperation reached during the 9th China-UK workshop on space science and technology cooperation, and to jointly improve the space technology. Moreover, Chinese students who are granted with more chances to study in the UK are also bringing science and technologies back to China, making contributions to the society with what they have learn aboard. China has more students studying in the UK than any other overseas group, with more than 70,000 according to the most recent figures, and the UK has also decided to ring-fence up to 20 prestigious Chevening scholarships for Chinese students wishing to study arts and creatives subjects at leading UK universities(Ibid).
Deepening relations with the UK within the CUCSP from 2004 to 2014 have also facilitated China to strengthen the Sino-European relations. As one of the three traditionalleading roles in Europe as well as one of the most important EU members, the UK is politically, economically and culturally influential in the Europe. After the establishment of the CUCSP which brings about in-depth communication and collaboration between China and the UK, the latter has become a bridge-like bond which consolidates the Sino-European relations and pushed it to new levels. For example: during Cameron‘s visit to Beijing in 2013, he stated that the UK ―is ready to be the strongest supporter of China in the West‖, and he would leave no efforts to promote liberalizing trades between the China and the Europe(Shi and Liu 2).
Starting such close and strategic relations with the UK like the CUCSP owe too much significance is also because that it can improve China‘s cultural soft power in the world stage, by introducing its culture to the UK. In the world today, the competition of comprehensive national strength has become increasingly fierce. Each country, especially the major powers, races to exhibits strength in hard power and charm of soft power in various ways.In recent years, China-UK cultural exchange and cooperation has entered the fast lane with strong impetus and fruitful results. Originally, China in not taking the lead of culture exportation however with the establishment of 25 Confucius Institutes in the UK over the 10 years, China is taking its steady steps of increasing cultural influence. Additionally, every year there are up to a hundred cultural cooperation projects within the CUCSP every year and up to 60% are from China to the UK. In the article written by the Chinese Ambassador, Liu stresses: ― In addition to traditional performances and exhibitions, more high-end and fashionable Chinese cultural programs are staged in the UK. Chinese fashion has become a highlight of London Fashion Week; Chinese films have been screened in British film festivals; Chinese books and magazines are gradually entering the British book market, and Lang Lang, Li Yundi and other first-class Chinese artists have given a series of high-level recitals in the UK. The British cultural programs coming to China focus more on ―localization‖ , and the Chinese version of the British musical Mama Mia has received warm responses.(―China-UK Cooperation in Cultural Exchanges‖ 1) What is more, both countries have also decided that 2015 due to be the Year of UK-China Cultural Exchange during the 6th EFD. A growing program of cooperation between museums was announced along with plans to kick-off a range of activities to mark the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare‘s death in 2016, such as a huge translation project which will allow Chinese audiences to read, perform and enjoy the complete works of Shakespeare for the first time ever. These cultural exchanges promoted by the CUCSP has been of great significance for China to establish a more well-rounded world image with appealing cultures in various fields.
People-to-people exchanges encouraged by this interactive and cooperative paradigm are also of great importance, especially for Chinese ordinary people. Without the CUCSP, the UK may not show a welcoming gesture to the Chinese tourists. During the 6th EFD, both countries agreed to
take another step to develop and strengthen tourism links between themselves, and a new initiative was announced to refund the cost of 25,000 visas, via tour operators, to those booking on UK tours in China. Also announced was an exemption from the need for transit visas for official Chinese tour groups traveling through UK airports to Schengen countries(―Factsheet‖ 3).
To the UK
The CUCSP has been described as a wise win-win choice made by both China and the UK, which means it is not only beneficial to China, but also of great importance to the UK in return. From the UK‘s perspectives, this interactive and communication paradigm set by the two create mutual interests, among which are stimulation of the economic crisis-struck British economy and support of its seeking for a more independent and intermediary role in the world politics.
After the world 2008 economic crisis9, the UK has been making efforts to recover its lagging economy with the help of China within the CUCSP. First, through an increasing number of trade changes with China, the UK occupies more market share of the China market. During the 6th EFD, both countries emphasized the aim that by ―further strengthening the UK-China trade and investment relationship, enhancing development and cooperation on trade and investment promotion in each other‘s markets, striving to achieve their bilateral trade target of $100 billion by 2015(―Combined policy outcome‖ 3).‖This market expansion in China will stimulate the growth of the British economy effectively when its domestic needs keep going down. Second, Chinese companies welcomed to the UK will provide the latter with considerable investment, especially on the infrastructure. Since the terrible economic crisis, British government has being troubled by huge deficit budges and cannot afford to rebuild the aging infrastructure. Therefore, in March 2014, “Chinese Enterprises Investment Guide to the UK” was published by an NDRC Research Institute to elaborate how Chinese firms can successfully invest in the UK with practical suggestions.With the deepening Sino-British relations in economic cooperation, the UK receives investment by opening infrastructure projects like high-speed railway construction as well as nuclear plants construction for Chinese companies. In June 2014, the MOU on Collaboration in the field of RailTransportation was signed, promoting more investment from China. In October 2014, China was invites to participate in the HS2 supply chain conference and promised to create a new working group with the UK, reporting into the UK-NDRC Ministerial Exchange, which will support further bilateral rail cooperation.
The CUCSP also helps the UK better recognize and establish its new position in the world by drawing it closer to China. Since leaders of Conservative-Liberal Democratic Party came to their offices in 2010, they have been reflecting on the former role definition of the UK made by the Labour Party(Shi and Liu11).They reckon that the Labour Party has shaped the United Kingdom into a brainless and obedient follower of the USA, following the steps of the super power and placing their hope of reviving solely on the shoulders of Uncle Tom. However, they ended up being trapped in the morass of the Iraq War together with the USA, at the cost of losing consistently good reputation around the world as well as their own flexibility and independence in diplomacy. Therefore, the establishment of the CUCSP which means a more concreted relationship with the largest emerging country,China, is of great significance for the British government to reshape and adjust their role into a more independent and intermediary one in the world. By having a comprehensive and strategic relationship with China, the UK has stepped one step on its way of self-transform, which including balancing work between developed Western countries and the
9 The world 2008 economic crisis emerged from the USA and swift spread to the rest of the capitalist world. British economy has suffered painfully from this economy, with its GDP falling from ＄2.86 trillion to ＄2.21 trillion within two years.
emerging developing countries; between China and the USA; between China and the EU as well as between Turkey and the Balkan peninsular(Ibid). China is indispensable in the UK‘s campaigns to establish a bridge-like role and the CUCSP is rather helpful if this aim of the United Kingdom is taken into consideration.
To the World
This cooperative paradigm does not exclusively restrain benefits to the two partners; instead, it contributes greatly to the world with its original promise of ―creating a world of greater security, prosperity and openness‖. Both China and the United Kingdom confirm that their in-depth communication and cooperation as two great powers with unusual and valuable experience may make the world a better place in the process of globalization and multi-polarization. Both of them agree that this partnership is necessary for the world‘s promising future with improved economic and political stability as well as addressed global issues.
First, the partnership formed by two economic heavyweights has been a significant factor for the maintenance of the world economic stability from 2004 to 2014. Both China and the UK is dedicated to reforming the old unbalanced international economic and financial orders, and within the CUCSP they find the opportunities to cooperate at the same aim.The UK and China both endorse the role of international financial institutions (the IMF and multilateral development banks (MDBs)) in promoting global financial stability. Also, they are committed to resisting protectionism in all forms. The UK and China are committed to help the membership find consensus to start ratification of the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) and implementing the other Bali decisions agreed at the 9th Ministerial Conference (MC9) last year. In this regard, the UK welcomed China‘s recent notification of ?Category A‘commitments relating to the TFA. Both sides are committed to strengthening communications and cooperation to advance the Doha Round negotiations. The UK and China are committed to working together towards a successful conclusion of the Environmental Goods Agreement (EGA), and both sides agreed to explore ways to factor into the DDA market access negotiations(―Combined policy outcome‖ 1). Beside, they have also committed to reforming international economic and financial governance with different methods mentioned above.
Second, the significance the CUCSP has on the world can be viewed from political perspectives. As two great powers on the world stage, China and the UK themselves are just restraints of the single-polarization which is also known as the hegemonism. With the establishment of the CUCSP which magnificently consolidated the Sino-British relations, their strength regarding the global balance of power grows dramatically and swiftly. If further explain the situation, the UK may even promote and ameliorate the Sino-European relations with its political influence in Europe, meaning further change in the ―USA-dominated‖mode. Additionally, both China and the UK are permanent members of the UN security council, which will shoulder the responsibilities of maintaing the world peace and eliminating hegemonism with strong resolution and surprising stamina. With the help of the interactive paradigm set by the CUCSP, the two will exchange ideas when designing the diplomatic strategic layout for future development instead of working blindly and lonely. In the meanwhile, the partnership is also dedicated to assisting developing and emerging countries with their fight against poverty. During the 6th EFD, both China and the UK focus on the eradication of extreme poverty and promoting common development through sustainable development, while taking into full account different national conditions and development paths, and thus to address the priorities of the developing countries, especially the least developed countries and their people. They acknowledged the importance of building on the work of the Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals to agree effective means of implementation, both financial and non- financial, for the post-2015 development goals. They agreed to maintain close consultation over the course of the next 12 months as the post-2015 development agenda is
forged(Ibid 2). They also make strong contributions of both countries to the World Bank‘s IDA17 replenishment, endorsing the IMF‘s job of investing more money in the developing countries. Last but not least, the two also work as independent sovereign countries when investing money in poverty-stricken area like Africa. They encourage companies to help to exploit resources in those areas and they also cooperate in some infrastructure as well as nuclear plants construction project in Africa. Therefore, a more intimate and closer Sino-British relationship may help to shape a politically stable world with real peace created by global balance of power.
Third, the CUCSP provides a cooperative opportunity for China and the UK to cope with global issues together. For example: they share the same position concerning the climate change issue. Both countries welcome the Joint Climate Change Statement agreed on 17 June 2014. Under the framework of the Joint Climate Change Statement, as well as the Memorandum of Understanding on China-UK Climate Change Cooperation, and the Memorandum of Understanding Concerning Low-Carbon Cooperation, the two sides will strengthen our policy dialogue and pragmatic cooperation. The UK and China will continue the implementation of on-going bilateral cooperation projects, helping our work to achieve low-carbon and green development, increase energy efficiency, promote renewable energy and demonstrate carbon capture and storage, as well as exploring opportunities to undertake new cooperation projects.
Hindrances on The Road
Socialism v.s. Capitalism
Cooperation is based on consensus and common interests, despite its varied forms and levels. The cooperation between China and the UK within the CUCSP is no exception.During the last decade from 2004 to 2014, increasing common interests in different fields discussed above as well as growing consensus on many issues has contributed enormously to the progress in Sino-British relations.
However, it is an inalterable fact that Chia and the UK have conflicting interests which are the source of conflicts or even confrontation. China is now the largest socialist country in the world while the UK is one of the most advanced capitalist country with concreted belief in its choice of social ideology, consisting of the most basic hindrance on the road of their cooperation with all the other hindrances to be discussed later its derivation in carious aspects.
Even though it is inevitable for the Sino-British to experience twists and turns,
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