On Wednesday, the Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS), Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, gave a speech to students at the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) National Defence University in Beijing. Take a moment to think about that.
Radakin also met General Liu Zhenli, chief of staff of the joint staff department of the Central Military Commission, the operational headquarters of the PLA. The Ministry of National Defence reported that:
The UK’s attitude towards China is already deeply confused
The two sides conducted in-depth exchanges on China-UK relations and mil-to-mil [military] relations, international and regional situations and issues of common concern, and had communication on strengthening exchanges and cooperation between the two militaries.
The UK Ministry of Defence did not publicise or comment on the visit. But there is something very strange about this episode. Radakin is the first chief of the defence staff to visit China since 2015, when General Sir Nicholas Houghton made the journey.
Get Britain's best politics newsletters
Register to get The Spectator's insight and opinion straight to your inbox. You can then read two free articles each week.
Already a subscriber? Log in
Comments
Join the debate for just £1 a month
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for £3.
UNLOCK ACCESS Just £1 a monthAlready a subscriber? Log in