IF Covid taught us anything, it was a stark reminder of how reliant we are on China, the world’s manufacturing superpower, producing nearly a third of everything we use.
The pandemic exposed the fragility of global supply chains, especially when much of what we need starts or passes through China. While that’s not a big deal if you’re buying basketballs or jeans, it’s a different story if you’re sourcing essentials like British military uniforms.
In a future crisis—or even escalating tensions with China—disruptions to these supply chains could have serious consequences. Imagine reintroducing national service (not an impossibility over the next five years). instead of marching to the parade ground, new recruits might first be heading to the Army Surplus Store for their kit.
What’s missing is a clear China strategy. The lack of a unified plan for managing China’s rise—both as an economic powerhouse and a challenger to the global order—has left decision-making fragmented.
Questions about security and resilience are often overshadowed by short-term cost savings. Case in point: The UK Defence Committee, during the last Parliament debated whether to source a ceremonial gift from British or Chinese metal, with the Chinese option being £4 cheaper. Eventually the British option was chosen – to avoid bad headlines! If the committee is making such political judgements so is any business having dealings with China.
This duality defines the UK’s relationship with China. On one hand, China is seen as a strategic competitor, accused of intellectual property theft, cyber espionage, and using its economic leverage to further geopolitical aims. On the other, it’s the UK’s fourth-largest trading partner, contributing billions to the economy.
Yet the playing field is far from level. Chinese companies operate freely in Western markets, while Western firms face barriers in China—restrictive regulations, joint venture requirements, and opaque rules.
Without a consistent approach, the UK’s efforts to counter China’s unfair practices are weakened by economic dependency. Next time a crisis hits, we might discover just how costly that ambiguity really is. One thing is for certain, in today’s climate the MOD should know better than to procure uniforms from China!
See main story: MoD orders £37m of kit from “national security risk” China