China poses the single biggest threat to Britain’s position as one of the great super-powers, according to a new analysis of the world’s wealthiest countries.

The annual audit found Britain had maintained its place as the world’s second most powerful nation, behind the US. The rankings - based on a series of factors including economic performance, technological expertise, military might and diplomatic leverage - placed China in third above France, Germany and Japan.

But the Henry Jackson Society warned that China could overtake the UK by next year as a consequence of its economic growth and military investment.

The report coincides with China landing a robotic spacecraft on the far side of the moon, the first ever successful attempt at such a mission. The landing is a sign of China's growing strength and status as a full-blown super-power.