Tory MP and Chair of the House of Commons Defence Select Committee Tobias Ellwood insisted China had used the "fog of Covid" to improve its military, economic and security agendas. During an interview with Express.co.uk, Mr Ellwood confessed there were hopes that China would mature as a nation and become more cooperative. However, he argued due to the pandemic, many countries around the world have begun to reevaluate their relationship with the communist country.

       Despite the pandemic, China has remained aggressive to its international neighbours.

       It has issued threats to many countries, most notably, Australia, the US and Taiwan.

       Mr Ellwood said: "It is because of the pandemic that I believe the rest of the world is reevaluating their views on China.

       "China's conduct of initially trying to hide the outbreak, taking advantage of the fog of Covid, the distraction to pursue an agenda."

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       Mr Ellwood highlighted how China is continuing to push ahead with its plans for a greater nation rather than cooperate with the rest of the world.

       He said: "It has surprised the international community.

       "There was always this hope that China would mature into a global responsible citizen and participate in our international standards and values.

       "What we are seeing now is China rewriting global rules to its own rules.

       "Hong Kong, the rules there are a great example, its treatment of the Uyghur population, its control and advance of the surveillance society.

       "Of course we have its expansion of influence across the world, both in the military, technological and economic."

       Mr Ellwood also added that other nations could use China's aggression against itself by impacting trade.

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       He said: "The big Achilles heel I think that is worth stressing between China, as there is a potential cold war we are heading towards, is trade.