Skip to main content
The sudden arrival of a cold war with China
Within a few short years we have gone from celebrating links with China to ripping up essential relationships and paving the ground for military conflict — we must now oppose Aukus and a new nuclear arms race, writes KEN LIVINGSTONE
Xi Jinping and former PM David Cameron in a pub in 2015

AS SOMEONE who lived through the first cold war against the Soviet Union and its allies, and who was in some important respects politically shaped by it — including in terms of my decades-long opposition to nuclear weapons — I recognise all too well the depressing signs of a new cold war against China, being fomented by the US, Britain and a handful of other countries.

Here in Britain, we’ve seen:

● A thriving relationship with Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei scuppered at US insistence, leaving 5G infrastructure to be ripped out of our networks, increasing costs to the Treasury and leaving us in the broadband slow lane.

The 95th Anniversary Appeal
Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.
More from this author
GREEN INNOVATION: The Cheonggyecheon urban redevelopment ope
Features / 29 July 2023
29 July 2023
It is mayors living close to the people who understand what is needed to tackle climate change better than national politicians in their private jets and chauffeur-driven cars, writes KEN LIVINGSTONE
PLENTY TO CHEW ON: (Left) Mission Barrio Adentro, Dr Jose Ca
Features / 1 July 2023
1 July 2023
With the 25th anniversary of his first election approaching this year, KEN LIVINGSTONE writes on the achievements and legacy of an important figure in Latin America’s history
WHAT’S FOR LUNCH? Reception class student Jayden-Luke Davi
Features / 16 June 2023
16 June 2023
KEN LIVINGSTONE writes on the importance of devolution – and using devolved powers for progressive ends
'Thatcher's approach to the 1984-85 miners’ strike was a p
Features / 19 May 2023
19 May 2023
Wide-ranging attacks on ‘enemies within’ are reminiscent of Thatcher’s assault on the miners, GLC, and black and Irish communities in the '80s, writes KEN LIVINGSTONE
Similar stories
The union flag and the flag of the People's republic of Chin
Editorial: / 17 October 2024
17 October 2024
RED MILESTONE: Huge crowds dance at a parade for the 70th an
Features / 7 September 2024
7 September 2024
Despite relentless hostility, the People’s Republic of China has lifted millions out of poverty, and become a global leader in innovation and climate action, while pursuing peaceful development in a multipolar world, writes CARLOS MARTINEZ
AT THE READY: Crew members from the US Coast Guard Cutter Jo
Features / 3 August 2024
3 August 2024
In the second of his three-part series on how the new Labour government’s foreign policy is likely to shape up, KENNY COYLE examines David Lammy’s writings on Asia and the Indo-Pacific region – where the risk of military flashpoints is high
THE SHAPE OF THINGS TO COME: Leapmotor EVs are parked outsid
Features / 23 May 2024
23 May 2024
As Biden ramps up punitive tariffs to protect an ailing corporate supremacy, the EU faces a crucial choice — stay chained to a crumbling US empire, or navigate constructive economic ties with China itself, writes MARC VANDEPITTE