Rishi Sunak faces China's no-show at AI summit

The Prime Minister has taken a markedly softer approach to relations with China than his predecessor Liz Truss. Photo: ANDY RAIN/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock < p>Rishi Sunak faces the prospect of China pulling out of his flagship artificial intelligence summit as Beijing has yet to confirm whether it will attend.

With only a week left until the meeting at Bletchley Park, it is clear that the Chinese have not yet told Britain who, if anyone, they intend to send.

China's technology minister, who was expected to attend, was fired from the government on Wednesday, catching organizers by surprise. surprise.

Beijing's no-show would have disappointed Downing Street, which insisted on its invitation despite harsh criticism from China hawks.

Ministers insist the UK cannot be protected from emerging risks unless Beijing can protect it from emerging risks. — a world leader in artificial intelligence — is part of the conversation.

The government was so keen for China to take part in the event that No. 10 AI «sherpas» Matt Clifford and Jonathan Black flew to Beijing last month. to drum in support of the summit.

“Greater freedom of action”

It comes as questions have been raised about the level of engagement from world leaders, with US President Joe Biden famously skipping the meeting and Justin Trudeau, the Prime Minister of Canada, and Olaf Scholz, the President of Germany, also expected to abstain from participation in the negotiations.

Meanwhile, it emerged that European Union figures have “reservations” about the UK’s decision to invite China, as they doubt whether any meaningful negotiations can be held.

Representative The EU noted that Beijing's approach to regulation is «completely different from ours», saying they have «great freedom of action».

“There are fundamental differences between our model and what China offers. — they said.

— Does this mean that you cannot talk to them? I don't think we have the answer, that's the UK's prerogative. There are some doubts about the ability to have a deep conversation with a country that has a very different view on this issue.”

Since becoming prime minister, Mr Sunak has taken a markedly softer approach to relations with China than his predecessor of Liz Truss.

Ms Truss prepared to officially declare Beijing a «threat» to Britain while she was in power. , but Mr Sunak instead chose to describe it as an «era-defining challenge».

'Smells of appeasement'

The Conservative caucus, critical of a hardline China, has repeatedly pressed him to take a tougher stance against the former leader. Sir Iain Duncan Smith warns that the UK's current position “smells awfully of appeasement”.

But Downing Street said it is “right to engage” with Beijing “when it is in the interests of the British public”, such as and at the AI ​​summit.

It said the government is «clear-eyed» in its approach to China and «will not do anything that conflicts with the strategy set out in the comprehensive review.» .

The Bletchley meeting is expected to focus almost entirely on existential risks and how to address them. This is not expected to lead to the creation of a new AI regulator or new international laws.