Putting trade and investment with China into perspective

Executive summary

  • As His Majesty’s (HM) Government prepares its ‘China audit’, it is imperative to remember that the economic benefit from the People’s Republic of China (PRC) is not comparable to that gained from Britain’s allies. Evidence is given to support this.
  • This Explainer argues that while trade and investment with Beijing should continue, national security should come first.
  • HM Government should establish ‘red lines’ or ‘core interests’ in its economic relationship with the PRC, and remember that remaining firm with Beijing on its non-negotiables will neither cripple the relationship, nor the British economy.

About the author

Charles Parton is Chief Advisor to the China Observatory and a Distinguished Fellow at the Council on Geostrategy.

Disclaimer

This publication should not be considered in any way to constitute advice. It is for knowledge and educational purposes only. The views expressed in this publication are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Council on Geostrategy or the views of its Advisory Council.

Image credit: Transportation logistics of international container cargo shipping and cargo plan in container yard, Yozayo, Canva pro license

No. 2025/06 | ISBN: 978-1-914441-97-4

Charles Parton OBE is Chief Adviser to the Council on Geostrategy’s China Observatory, as well as a fellow at the Royal United Services Institute and Mercator Institute for China Studies. He served as a diplomat for 37 years, spending 22 of these working in or on the People’s Republic of China, Taiwan and Hong Kong. For his final posting, he was seconded to the European Union’s Delegation in Beijing as First Counsellor.