The Rise of China: What do we want from the next Prime Minister?

with

Professor John Bew
Head of Britain in the World, Policy Exchange
Professor in History and Foreign Policy, Department of War Studies, King’s College London

Hon Alexander Downer AC
Chair of Trustees, Policy Exchange
Former Australian Foreign Minister and High Commissioner to the UK

Rt Hon Sir Michael Fallon MP
Former Secretary of State for Defence

General David H Petraeus
Former Commander, United States Central Command

Dr Yu Jie
London School of Economics and Chatham House

chaired by

Dean Godson
Director, Policy Exchange

The rise of China – and its relationship with the United States – is the most important geopolitical issue in world affairs today and is likely to become ever more significant in future decades. The United Kingdom has been slow to awaken to the implications of this profound change in the global balance of power. Recent debates over joining the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank or the use of Huawei technology are glimpses of the types of dilemma that will become increasingly common in the near-term future. Meanwhile, the UK promises an increased presence in the Indo-Pacific, taking it an area where great power tensions are rising. Is it time to revisit the UK’s approach to the rise of China? What does the next Prime Minister need to know about the changing world order and how should he respond?

About the Series

What do we want from the next Prime Minister? That is the question at the heart of a major series of events announced by Policy Exchange. Brexit has increased the number of potential futures for our country. But the search for a new national consensus – a governing philosophy with a broad basis of support and a policy agenda to match – has so far proved elusive. Join us to discuss the policies that could bring a divided UK together again.