FOR the UK a coherent international strategy for Syria needs a coherent international policy. It has been suggested elsewhere that we need an industrial policy as well. Reconciling security with finance seems essential.

For starters we can expect a change in the post-1945 system of global governance. A key mover will be Russia's sometime ally - China. China hopes that any international opposition to its policies will subside if it pays selected nations enough money. A far-reaching economic programme is proposed.

In fact, China chairs the world's economic grouping, the G20, in 2016 and plans to beef up the role of the G20 as the main platform for global economic cooperation; according to its latest five-year plan Beijing wishes to obtain a consensus on addressing the problems of the world economy.

Ian Jenkins

7 Spruce Avenue, Hamilton.