Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministerial Statement

Chinese Government Sanctions on UK Citizens

13 April 2021 · 8 other contributors

Opened by Nigel Adams Con East Surrey

Foreign AffairsParliamentary ProcedureStandards & Ethics

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Nigel Adams raised concerns about chinese government sanctions on uk citizens in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.

Key points

  • Government stands in solidarity with those sanctioned by China, describing the action as unacceptable and unwarranted.
  • UK, EU, Canada, and US imposed sanctions on four senior Chinese officials and one entity on 22 March.
  • China responded by sanctioning nine individuals and four organisations, including UK parliamentarians.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Government Statement

Nigel Adams

The Government stands in solidarity with those sanctioned by China, stating the action as 'utterly unacceptable and unwarranted'. On 22 March, the UK, EU, Canada, and US imposed sanctions on four senior Chinese officials and one entity involved in human rights violations against Uyghur Muslims. In response to China's retaliation by sanctioning nine individuals and four organisations including UK parliamentarians, the Prime Minister held private meetings with those named, while Lord Ahmad met others for guidance and support, including a designated FCDO point of contact and specialist briefings from relevant departments. The Government emphasises that this will not deter Members from raising human rights concerns in China, praising their role in highlighting abuses. Additionally, measures to ensure British businesses are not complicit in violations were announced by the Foreign Secretary.

Other contributors (8)
  • Tim Loughton Con East Worthing and Shoreham

    Question

    Mr Deputy Speaker thanked the Speaker for granting an urgent question on sanctions by China. He declared interest as one of five UK parliamentarians sanctioned, criticising China's counterproductive use of sanctions against truth-tellers. Questioned further action against China to emphasise their actions' unacceptability and requested assurance that no new agreements will proceed with Chinese Government while sanctions remain.

    Minister reply

    Minister Nigel Adams thanked Tim Loughton for his bravery, stating the UK's clarity with China on the unwarranted nature of these sanctions. He assured continued support to those impacted by such measures, including Jo Smith Finley and others.

  • Stephen Kinnock Lab Aberavon Maesteg

    Question

    The Labour party stands in solidarity with British citizens sanctioned by China for speaking out against Uyghur human rights abuses. The Government are providing sanctions victims with advice and support, but the Labour Party criticises inconsistencies and hypocrisy in the UK’s approach to China, particularly regarding trade deals and the National Security and Investment Bill. It also calls for an audit of the UK-China relationship.

    Minister reply

    The UK seeks a positive, mature relationship with China based on mutual respect and trust, but it will not sacrifice values or security. The Government are committed to upholding Hong Kong’s autonomy and rights under the Sino-British joint declaration, and they condemn Beijing's imposition of the national security law. On Taiwan, the UK is concerned about military incursions and seeks constructive dialogue.

  • Iain Duncan Smith Con Chingford and Woodford Green

    Question

    Will the Government resist moves to water down the National Security and Investment Bill?

    Minister reply

    The UK sees China's increasing assertiveness as a significant geopolitical shift but will cooperate where interests align. The Government aim to defend values while tackling global challenges, including climate change.

  • Alyn Smith

    Question

    Does the Minister agree that we need to be tougher on China’s actions and define what is happening in Xinjiang as genocide?

    Minister reply

    The amendment to the Trade Bill is consistent with long-standing policy, which states judgments on genocide should be made by a competent court after considering all evidence.

  • Nusrat Ghani Con Sussex Weald

    Question

    How will sanctioned MPs and entities receive support from the Foreign Office? Will Uyghur people be able to come forward in any process to see if genocide is taking place?

    Minister reply

    Sanctioned entities have full Foreign Office support. The Government’s compromise on the Trade Bill is consistent with policy, allowing Select Committees to consider evidence and potentially leading to debate.

  • Layla Moran Lib Dem Oxford West and Abingdon

    Question

    What consideration has been given to seeking cross-party support for a comprehensive foreign policy settlement towards China?

    Minister reply

    A small, interdepartmental group led by the Foreign Secretary is working on a new foreign policy settlement. The UK is collaborating with international partners to address China’s assertiveness and violations.

  • Bob Blackman Con Harrow East

    Question

    May I associate myself with the tributes paid to Cheryl Gillan, the late Member for Chesham and Amersham? She was a dear friend, and we will miss her. Does my hon. Friend agree that the Members who have been sanctioned by the Chinese, be they hon. or right hon. Members, are heroes of this Parliament for speaking up for free speech? Is this not just a thinly veiled attempt to distract the public from the horrific crimes that the Chinese Government are committing against not only the Uyghurs but other minority communities in China?

    Minister reply

    I agree wholeheartedly with my hon. Friend’s remarks about our former colleague Cheryl Gillan. I was her Whip for a time when I first became a Whip. I had not realised that Cheryl had also been a Whip and knew how the game worked, and she very politely reminded me of that. I remember her telling me, “If you need to be bothering me as a former Whip over this particular vote, Nigel, then you really are in trouble as a Government.” She will be sorely missed. I also wholeheartedly agree with my hon. Friend’s comments about whether this is a thinly veiled attempt to distract attention from the horrific crimes. Well, of course it is. I agree 100% that we must not let this action by China distract from the horrific violations taking place in Xinjiang. We will continue to work with our international partners to send the clearest possible signal that the international community has a collective willingness to act.

Shadow Comment

Tim Loughton

Mr Deputy Speaker praised the Government's robust support for sanctioned parliamentarians as a matter of 'freedom of speech'. He questioned further action against China to highlight their sanctions' unacceptability, asking if new agreements will proceed. The Minister agreed that academic freedom is attacked by the sanctions on Dr Jo Smith Finley and Sir Geoffrey Nice QC, offering them support. Loughton called for an audit of Chinese influence in education, military capability, business, and infrastructure projects against British interests, demanding no kowtowing to China's abuses.

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