“We have to pursue our national interests, and we have to realize that national security, which is genuine and must be protected, is not the same as America's national superiority. There's a difference ,” says Sir Sherard Cowper-Coles, Chair of the China-Britain Business Council #LeadersLounge
#LeadersLounge is a high-profile business leaders interview programme by CGTN EUROPE and CCCUK.
#LeadersLounge is a high-profile business leaders interview programme by CGTN EUROPE and CCCUK.
Category
🗞
NewsTranscript
00:00In the meantime, how much weight do you think the US carries in China-UK relations?
00:06Well, it has had a negative influence in the past.
00:12I've publicly said what is well known, that the second decision by the Boris Johnson's government
00:22to rip Huawei equipment out of the UK telecoms network wasn't driven by national security.
00:29It was driven by American pressure.
00:32It's cost Britain about £10 billion and a three-year delay in the rollout of 5G.
00:41So, it's a challenge. We have to pursue our national interests
00:47and we have to realise that national security, which is genuine and must be protected,
00:55is not the same as America's national superiority. There's a difference.
01:01And so Britain needs to stand up for its own national interests,
01:07the interests of our people, working with our European partners,
01:11and not succumb to pressure from others where it's not in our national interest to do so.