LONDON — Lord George Robertson, former NATO secretary-general and head of the UK government’s Strategic Defense Review, has warned that China is one of the countries that poses a “lethal” threat to the UK.

This statement from the newly elected UK Labour government is a significant difference from the rhetoric of the previous Conservative government, which described China as an “epochal challenge” and used the word “threat” only in an economic context.

UK Defense Secretary John Healey also confirmed that the “review” of UK-China bilateral relations promised by the new UK Labour government in its manifesto will be independent of the Strategic Defense Review.

“The challenge posed by China is clearly cross-government, not just limited to defense. Therefore, this review will be conducted independently and in a cross-government manner,” Healey said.

Observers pointed out that this statement marks a significant shift in the UK’s China policy and indicates that the UK government will take a tougher approach to China’s challenges in the future.