The Daily Mail has criticized the Labour Party's "diplomatic politeness" towards China, suggesting it ignores the significant threats posed by Beijing. The commentary, prompted by a report from Parliament’s Business, Innovation, Science and Trade Committee, asserts that Labour has "re-engaged with China without establishing the rules of the game required to protect British economic and national security."
The report further notes the government's failure to produce a promised blueprint for a "strategic, long-term, consistent UK approach to China," leading to accusations that current policy is being formulated reactively. The Daily Mail highlights the £140 billion in annual trade between the UK and China, which constitutes approximately 7 percent of all UK trade, but emphasizes the need for caution given Beijing's data-gathering activities and the recent MI5 warning about Chinese state activity in universities.
The commentary calls for the government to set clear ground rules for business dealings with China, stating that "there is nothing to be gained by ingratiating ourselves with president Xi." It suggests that unless successor actions are taken promptly on the committee's report, the current approach will persist.
In a separate point, the Daily Mail questions Labour's welfare policy, citing apparent confusion from Shadow Chancellor John Healey regarding plans to reduce the benefits burden before the next election.