The French President came to China and brought a big package, a huge present, back to France with him. When the Chinese Prime Minister [Li Keqiang] went to Germany [for a visit], I believe Germany also received benefits. However, the United Kingdom is just able to watch on the sidelines.
In September of 2007, German Chancellor Angela Merkel met with the Dalai Lama. As a result, the PRC “retaliated” against Germany. This German offense started under Merkel. Of course China would get angry. Therefore China alienated Germany and got close to the British and the French, whereas the Germans had a hard time. Later Merkel learned her lesson. After winning her second election, she did not dare to meet with the Dalai Lama again. Since then, she has managed to maintain a fairly good relationship with China.
In December of 2008, French President Nicolas Sarkozy met with the Dalai Lama, setting a precedent in France. At the time, Sarkozy had a “double identity” [He was also the Chair of the E.U.], so it had a far worse impact. Coupled with the bad role he played before the Beijing Olympics, China’s revenge against France was much more violent.
Then China gave sweetness to the British and the Germans and let France suffer. In the end, France was forced to give in and issued a joint declaration with China. Until then, China maintained distance from France. Interestingly, later Sarkozy repeatedly tried to appease China, but he still stepped down when his time was up.
In May of 2012, British Prime Minister David Cameron met with the Dalai Lama. This time it was Britain’s turn to suffer. Meanwhile, France and Germany got the sweet treatment [from China]. Although Cameron is not the first British leader [to meet the Dalai Lama], a year later, Cameron still cannot make the trip to visit China that he has always wanted to make.
According to the British media, Britain will lose billions of pounds of China’s investment in Britain because of it [his meeting the Dalai Lama]. Should he refuse to admit his mistake and save face or should he get the all-important money? This really is a question for the British.
Although the British seemingly do not want to bow, the outcome is likely the same as Germany and France, making some kind of gesture to obtain China’s “forgiveness.”
China has identified the disunity between the EU countries, in particular Germany, France, and the UK, thus [effectively] enabling the imposition of such an economically divisive tool.
In the front of today’s God of Wealth–China, it is not so easy for the former British Empire to insist on an upright stance without bowing.
Endnotes:
[1] Blog from People’s Daily, “The Outcome When Britain, France, and Germany Anger China,” May 30, 2013
http://blog.people.com.cn/article/9/1369874707213.html