The UK government is an ardent advocate of “rules-based international order” across the world. However，such an order is now facing multiple challenges，including the “power-based international order” promoted by Russia，the emergence of the Islamic State（The Daesh）in the Middle East and North Africa and the growing tensions in East Asia. The UK government is using carrot as well as stick to tackle such challenges. The “carrot” is to seize the initiative to interpret “rules”，while the “stick” is to punish the “rules-breakers” by sanctions and deterrence. As a status quo power，the UK makes use of “rules” to defend its vested interests. As a pragmatic power，the UK advocates to reform international institutions to accommodate the rising powers’ interests. Therefore，despite the fact that the UK and China have different interpretations of “rules”，they nevertheless can find common ground and to address regional and global concerns in concerted efforts.