My old colleague Con Coughlin tearing into the UK's cosying up to China:
Our enemies will seek to exploit Britain’s vulnerability during this moment of crisis
Some excerpts:
Of far greater concern, though, is the deliberate misinformation being disseminated by countries like China, Russia and Iran about the true impact of the virus on their citizens. The misinformation campaign being undertaken by these countries, designed to cover up their own mishandling of the pandemic, makes it immensely more difficult for British scientists to acquire a comprehensive picture of the origins and development of the coronavirus, thereby undermining the Government’s efforts to navigate a way out of the crisis.
and
As Professor David Harper, a global health specialist, told a recent session of the Commons foreign affairs select committee, “communication is always a big issue” in dealing with pandemics. Therefore the failure of these three countries, as well as others, to give an accurate and transparent account of their own experiences has “obscured analysis in the critical early stages of the pandemic”.
Given the negative impact the hostile behaviour of rogue regimes such as these is having on Britain’s efforts to overcome the pandemic, it is vital that, once this crisis is over, their unwillingness to help us in our hour of need must inform our post-pandemic world view.
and
First and foremost, there must be a clear alignment with those countries that were open about their efforts to tackle the challenge, and which were prepared to share – to the best of their ability – their scientific knowledge of the virus, as well as providing practical support in terms of vital medical equipment.
Their willingness to offer assistance will be in stark contrast to the lies and disinformation that has been forthcoming from Russia, China and Iran.
and
This fiasco shows why it is so important that, in future, the Government must make sure it is dealing with countries it can rely upon to help, rather than those that will cause it yet further trouble.
Originally Posted by: Justin W