Abacus | With Britain’s new trade deals in Asia and Oceania, expect to see the Royal Navy in the South China Sea
- With new post-Brexit trade agreements, the British navy will be required to beef up its presence alongside the US Seventh Fleet in the disputed waterway, as well as the Pacific
- Singapore continues to play a vital role in the Royal Navy’s activities in Asia, supporting the vessels that patrol the trade routes – which may soon include its new aircraft carrier
TIME TO MOVE ON
It has been a bad year so far for the Americans in Hong Kong – the city’s importance as a financial centre for US firms and global commerce, and as a place of liberal American influence in Asia on China’s doorstep, is a prize that the US will be hurt to lose. And the US Navy, who were always warmly welcomed into the Port of Hong Kong, are now banned by China from visiting.
A recent survey by the American Chamber of Commerce suggests many of the 85,000 Americans in the city have had enough and are preparing to leave, taking with them their businesses and money.
ON A MISSION
It’s nice that big brother “has your back”, but these were fights which Britain should be gloved up and ready for on its own. But aside from laying out an exit route for Hong Kong for British National (Overseas) passport holders, and harsh words from Hong Kong’s last governor, Chris Patten, there is little evidence London is up for taking on Beijing.