Opinion | To regain greatness – Britain needs a Brexit from the U.S.
By Augustus K. Yeung
Starting with the fall of Scott Morison, who fell from grace as a result of listening to Joe Biden's anti-China pitch, which is the beginning of the worst of times for Australia and America. But now may be the best time for Britain...
Britain became America's appendix when Hitler came to power in Europe, forcing it to play second fiddle to the U.S. in WWII and thereafter, losing its world leadership, a great trading tradition in the East, and leaving Australia and New Zealand to be led or more precisely mislead by a new hegemonic America which has been marching the "allies" from one battlefield to another.
Unfortunately, these allies were betrayed, for example, when the U.S. military suddenly pulled out of Kabul – without informing the British, according to the New York Times.
Willingly or unwillingly, the hands of British Prime Ministers were all tainted with blood as the nation's soldiers fought alongside that of America for fourteen years during its Conservative Governments, be it in Asia, Middle East or anywhere.
The results of following a "fighter" and not a wise warrior is leaving Britain poorer than ever. Today's Britain lost not only its treasured relations with Europe; the British have also lost its traditional leaderships over Australia and New Zealand.
Coming back to politics and economy, the fight of the century between Joe Biden and Donald Trump is throwing countries in the Western alliance into disarray, leaving open an area, or a window of opportunity for Britain to be great again. But how?
For the glory of Great Britain, the nation must now seize this window of opportunity that is opening in the U.S. November presidential election. More precisely, Britain must kindle its trading ties with China, whose Belt and Road Initiative is a common destiny for mankind.
This is not difficult as the late Queen Elizabeth II, and David Cameron, the former British Prime Minister had both cultivated deep and unique relationships with Xi Jinping. It was the short-sighted politicians such as John Major and his crony, Chris Pattern, the last governor of Hong Kong that had spoiled the formerly good relations between the two countries.
Had Sir Wilson been allowed to stay guiding Hong Kong in the transition years that led to 1997, Hong Kong would have been able to enjoy peace, prosperity and retain its glory as "the Pearl of the Orient." But all was lost because of one anti-China British politician who won the nickname, "A sinner for a thousand years," awarded by a senior Chinese official.
The past is past. Modern China badly wants to move forward, and the way to go about it is not making enemies, but to befriend countries that are interested in building "a community of shared destiny or shared interests," as President Xi Jinping puts it.
The time is right: China is having its party meeting of a century, which is set to redefine its course of history around economy. Whereas the U.S. would still be mired in its obsession with politics, regardless of whoever wins the presidential election.
The utter failure of Sunak has laid bare the bumpy road ahead for the new Labor leader and his government. Only an "Arkansas fool" would follow the lead of the U.S. whose decline is now easy to see!
The reasons for making such "hard choices" are as follows:
First, the world economy is in bad shape, and British economy is among the worst hit countries of all. Want examples?!
Second, by leaving the military and doctrinal dictate of the U.S., partnering with China, Britain can focus on developing its trade and commerce, and begin to rake in whatever financial benefits that come along the way.
Third, now is the time to reclaim and regain its attenuated influence over Australia and New Zealand, rather than to leave them to the dictate of the U.S. Remember the fate of Scott Morrison? How he was fooled!
Fourth, honestly Britain is the preferred choice of the ASEAN bloc, especially Malaysia and Singapore, all former British colonies.
Similarly, I think China would rather prefer Britain to the U.S., which has been and still is pursuing "a Cold War Mentality", favoring ideological struggles.
I think China prefers a Britain that values trade and commerce. Whereas the U.S. has nothing but "containment", "confrontation" and "sanctions" in its mind.
I think China can sleep better, or well with Britain on its bedside instead of having to be watchful over its shoulders for "foreign infiltrations" and American "meddlings".
Mind you, the U.S. is not short of "wayward Puritans" or war-like politicians such as Mike Johnson, Mike Gallagher etc.
And thank goodness, Britain has honestly none of these loquacious political loiterers who were out to make huge profits at the expense of "communist" China, which would like to be seen as "a socialistic country with Chinese characteristics."
Britain and mostly all Europeans seem to understand China better. After all, it was Marcopolo who historically made it to China, spreading its culture back to Italy and romantically related the two geopolitical powers, although that was centuries ago.
The crux of the matter now is whether there exists a transformational political leader in Britain who has both the insight, the moral courage and the vision to hold China's hand firmly – and work together to forge a community of shared interests.
Or the alternative would be to continue to be a follower of the U.S., and be dictated by, and listen to the Americans who have been misleading their allies for years, if not decades since WWII.
If Keir Starmer, the new PM honestly wants to make Britain great again, taking Xi's hand, and pragmatically following the Belt and Road principle is the best way forward.
Britain now needs an exit, or Brexit from the U.S. But that won't be easy; I am hearing from the Australian Prime Minister Albanese, "What a life-threatening balancing act…between the U.S. and the Chinese!"
The views do not necessarily reflect those of DotDotNews.
To contact the writer, please direct email:AugustusKYeung@ymail.com
Read more articles by Augustus K. Yeung:
Opinion | Who shot Trump? Or this is evidential of America's gun violence
Opinion | Speaking to power, Jeffrey Sachs is conscience of United States of America
Opinion | Xi: world leaders must help Russia and Ukraine resume direct dialogue
Comment