Hearts & Minds: Britain tries to tread carefully on China, but mixed messages prevail

Make up your mind. It is one of those instructions that is drummed into us from an early age. In comms, it is vital. For messaging to succeed it must be clear and easily understood. The nightmare is doing and saying one thing, then another that is quite different. The result: no one knows where they stand, what is desired.

Such a scenario is unfolding regarding Britain’s relationship with China. Negotiating a course that satisfies both London and Beijing has long been tricky. But at present, there is considerable pressure for the two to become closer where trade is concerned. You would suppose then, from the British end, that would necessitate using language intended to woo and impress. After all, the mind is made up: Britain would like to do more business with China.

Newspapers are devoting coverage to the new Chinese embassy on a plum site in London, a project that was offered to Beijing by the Prime Minister no less in his overtures to them. Apparently, it will contain underground rooms that could be used as a ‘secret spy dungeon’. Information about their purpose has been redacted for security reasons, prompting the allegations. China dismisses the claims. In answering journalists’ questions, the UK government says: ‘The public interest lies in favour of withholding the information you have requested.’ It is dry and formulaic and hardly amounts to a ringing endorsement of your new would-be trading partner.

At the same time, the row over British Steel and Scunthorpe rumbles on, with accusations flying that the Chinese owner has committed ‘sabotage’ and wishes to close the plant down. A Treasury minister says on the radio the Chinese company has behaved ‘irresponsibly’. He adds, though, that ‘one company doesn't speak to all companies who are based in China’, and the UK needs to make clear it is ‘open’ to investment from around the world. Then, he emphasises the need for a ‘high level of scrutiny’ when there is foreign involvement in critical infrastructure.

This is known as mixed messaging or less politely, a dog’s breakfast. He criticises the Chinese, which only fuels the more lurid charges being made; then stresses, as it he had to, that one firm does not mean all Chinese companies act that way and how we want their business; but ends by saying we must keep a careful eye on what they’re up to. No minister, no.

Chris Blackhurst is one of the UK’s foremost business journalists. He was previously Editor of The Independent and City Editor of the Evening Standard.