Humphrey Hawksley is a former Beijing and Asia correspondent for the BBC. His latest book is "Asian Waters: The Struggle Over the Indo-Pacific and the Challenge to American Power."
The United Kingdom's full separation from the European Union, due to begin on Jan. 1, is bound to be bumpy. But by shining a spotlight on Asia, London could address accusations that its foreign policy is adrift while underpinning its interests in a region where it has a chance of early success.