About seven years ago, I bought two pairs of pyjamas, one British, the other Chinese. At the time, they seemed of roughly similar quality, the important difference being that the Chinese ones were half the price of the British. Given that they have the same ‘lived experience’, I can make a direct comparison. The British ones, by Peter Christian (‘gentlemen’s outfitters’ accompanied by an image of two hares boxing), show few signs of the passing years. Their reddish colour with green and yellow stripes holds fast. There is very little wear and no tear at all. The Chinese pair (labelled ‘sleepwear’) tells a different story – the drawstring disappeared, the elasticated waist (which the British one wisely eschews) decayed, the blue checks faded, the cotton thinned. Every Chinese button repeats the word ‘global’ on it, twice. I see this as a metaphor for how China conquers the world. I wonder how many people currently buying BYD Chinese electric cars (the initials delusively stand for ‘Build Your Dreams’) will regret their purchase. I wonder how much longer it will take before everyone realises that when China calls itself ‘global’ it remains thoroughly Chinese, its global vision wholly controlled by the Chinese Communist party (CCP).

This week’s statement by the security minister, Dan Jarvis, had a welcome changed tone. It was fierce about Chinese espionage threats, chiefly to parliament. Although the formula about cooperating as well as........

© The Spectator