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Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson
Photo: HANNAH MCKAY / AFP
Boris Johnson is adopting a different foreign policy course for Great Britain after Brexit.
The UK wants to increase its influence in the Indo-Pacific region in order to reduce the dominance of China, the Prime Minister announced in the House of Commons.
The government described the so-called "Integrated Review" as the most radical reassessment of Britain's place in the world since the end of the Cold War.
The project aims to "make the UK stronger, safer and more prosperous," said Johnson.
“There is no doubt that China is a major challenge for an open society like ours.
But if it is compatible with our values and interests, we will also work with China, ”Johnson said in parliament.
Beijing's dealings with the former British crown colony of Hong Kong are putting a strain on the relationship between the two countries.
Investments by Chinese companies also raised security concerns.
"We have to relearn the art of dealing with countries with opposing values," Johnson said.
Beijing must be negotiated to reduce its nuclear potential.
In return, the UK government wants to increase the limit on the number of nuclear warheads from 180 to up to 260 (read more about the plans here).
This is necessary to maintain a minimum of deterrence in the face of "the changing security environment, including a range of technological and ideological threats".
Renewing nuclear deterrence capabilities is part of a £ 24 billion investment in the armed forces, Johnson said.
Diplomacy is his top priority.
Britain remains committed to Europe even after leaving the European Union, said Johnson.
Brexit enables the country to pursue its own foreign policy.
If interests overlap, Britain will continue to work with the community.
This included the stability and security of the European continent as well as climate policy and biodiversity.
Russia as the "most acute threat"
However, Britain remains linked to NATO and what is known as the "Five Eyes" secret service cooperation with the English-speaking countries USA, Australia, Canada and New Zealand, stressed Johnson.
In the European-Atlantic area, Russia is currently the "most acute threat," it said in the document.
Opposition leader Keith Starmer accused Johnson of weakening the foundation for the new strategy.
"From Europe to the Indian Ocean, this government now has a reputation for breaking international law, not defending it," said the Labor leader.
He was referring to a unilaterally extended grace period for Northern Ireland after Brexit.
The EU sees the British action as a violation of the treaty and initiated legal action on Monday.
London also continues to see the threat posed by terrorists as a major threat.
According to the document, the British government estimates a successful terrorist attack with chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear weapons by the year 2030 as a "realistic possibility".
To counter this, an anti-terror center will be set up, Johnson announced.
A national cyber unit that carries out offensive operations against terrorists, states and criminal gangs should be located in the north-west of England.
As a lesson from the pandemic, London also wants to create an intergovernmental situation center.
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as / dpa / Reuters
