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Question
China's rise is a threat to democratic freedoms and values. The audit fails to set out any serious strategic framework despite the urgent need for it. Can the Foreign Secretary name an area where measurable progress has been made with China on national security, economic practices, climate or human rights?
Minister reply
The audit informed our strategic defence review and national security strategy which sets out China's impacts on each pillar of UK national security. It also steered trade and industrial strategies to analyse engagement possibilities.
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Question
Where was the right hon. Lady during the ill-judged Cameron-Osborne golden age? She was the Minister for the Treasury. Where was she during the humiliating Huawei U-turn? She was Home Secretary. The Tories had their heads in the sand, weakening Britain’s defences.
Minister reply
I refer to page 28 of the strategic defence review which clearly outlines our understanding that China is a ‘sophisticated and persistent’ threat. Regarding the embassy issue, it is a quasi-judicial decision properly made by the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government.
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Question
For years, UK Governments have failed to take seriously the challenge posed by China. The Foreign Secretary’s failure to publish a stand-alone document is immensely disappointing. How will Members of this House be briefed on sensitive elements of the audit? Will the Government confirm what steps they will take if Beijing refuses to give an assurance that MPs will not be blocked from visiting Hong Kong or China?
Minister reply
This was a comprehensive audit, and important sections remain classified for reasons of national security. The Home Secretary and I wrote a letter raising concerns about the proposed mega-embassy in London. I have met activists campaigning on transnational repression issues.
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Question
As chair of the all-party parliamentary groups on Uyghurs and Hong Kong, I wonder if the Foreign Secretary understands that many in these groups worry about the order of priorities. Can he confirm that threats identified will be fed into decision making regarding the super-embassy application?
Minister reply
I am grateful for his championing on these issues. We will co-operate where we can but challenge when needed. I have consistently raised the situation of Uyghur Muslims with counterparts and encouraged them to implement recommendations from the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
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Question
Let me express my respect for the right hon. Gentleman’s expertise on the China threat. I acknowledge that he is subject to sanctions; I have consistently raised that point with China, noting that it recently lifted sanctions against Members of the European Parliament. I pressed it recently to do the same for Members here.
Minister reply
I am grateful for the work that my hon. Friend does in this area, but I must maintain that there has not been that access under any Government, other than for those on the Intelligence and Security Committee, who have access to high-classification documents, and for Privy Counsellors, who have access to conversations with the Government and officials that they pledge to keep secret. The Government cannot abandon those principles, which have consistently served us well for many years under many Governments.
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Question
I thank my right hon. Friend for his statement. I am the first to recognise, along with him, the need for pragmatism on this issue. He speaks of our closest allies. In Washington a couple of weeks ago, I heard about the Americans’ real concerns about the super-embassy in London.
Minister reply
I refer my hon. Friend to page 28 of the strategic defence review, which summarises the challenge better than he did. It states that China is 'a sophisticated and persistent challenge'. China is increasingly leveraging its economic, technological, and military capabilities, seeking to establish dominance in the Indo-Pacific, erode US influence, and put pressure on the rules-based international order.' We agree.
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Question
On page 39, the ‘National Security Strategy 2025’ states: 'Instances of China’s espionage, interference in our democracy and the undermining of our economic security have increased in recent years.' Just three pages later, it talks about the importance of 'creating the basis for a reciprocal and balanced economic relationship' with China.
Minister reply
The paradox is important, but let me be clear that £600 million-worth of new investment in our intelligence services is an important development. Investment in our capabilities, including new powers and capabilities for the National Cyber Security Centre, is an important development, but being able to unlock £1 billion-worth of trade with our third biggest trading partner must also be central to our undertaking at this time.
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Question
I welcome this statement, particularly as it has become clearer that the Conservatives badly mismanaged not just their policies towards China but our relationship with it over successive years. China offers economic opportunities, but also poses threats.
Minister reply
Prime Minister Johnson’s record on China is why, in opposition, we said that we would do a full audit. He will recognise and welcome, I suspect, the extra investment in the intelligence services, and particularly in our national cyber capability.
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Question
Before coming to Parliament, I worked in a buying department for a large international retailer. In my career, I saw a move to sourcing from China, and a rise in the popularity of retailers based in China.
Minister reply
It is a good question, and I refer my hon. Friend to the industrial strategy and the further work that we have to do on supply chains. From day one, this Government have taken a big interest in global supply chains in critical minerals.
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Question
May I say to the Foreign Secretary how much I welcome this China audit? I would like to highlight one aspect in particular. As someone who studied Chinese at university and lived there for a year, I know how complex and different China can be.
Minister reply
My hon. Friend’s question goes to the heart of capabilities. We must have more diplomats with a fine understanding of China and more Mandarin speakers, and we are doing that.
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Question
Reassure my hon. Friend that our universities were able to contribute to our China audit.
Minister reply
I reassure my hon. Friend that our universities were able to contribute to our China audit.
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Question
What do the Government plan to take the recently agreed G7 definition of transnational repression and translate it into domestic law?
Minister reply
We have a broad range of powers under the National Security Act 2023 to counter foreign interference and transnational repression, particularly for issues like religious freedoms in Tibet.
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Question
What protections are available for Hong Kong nationals facing national repression?
Minister reply
The Minister for the Indo-Pacific has met some of my hon. Friend’s constituents on this issue, and we have training for our police to address these concerns.
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Question
Will the Government publish a list of sectors considered overly dependent on Chinese input?
Minister reply
Through the National Security Act, we have robust powers to counter foreign interference and transnational repression.
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Question
Will the Secretary of State finally rule out Mingyang being a permitted supplier for energy infrastructure in the future?
Minister reply
Through the National Security and Investment Act 2021, we have a robust framework to make individual decisions such as the one on Mingyang. Energy is one of 17 priority sectors under the NSIA where Government can block any potential acquisitions on security grounds.
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Question
Can the Minister confirm that our response to transnational repression includes restoring access to the Mandatory Provident Fund?
Minister reply
The issue is under consideration, and we have been discussing with communities these very important pension issues.
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Question
What are the risks from China’s influence in UK academia and how should universities take precautions?
Minister reply
We do have to be vigilant. The Intelligence and Security Committee understands the nature of our work, particularly behind the strategic defence review and national security strategy.
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Question
What mitigating measures will be put in place if Mingyang wins contracts for energy infrastructure?
Minister reply
I recognise the sensitivity of these issues, and they are central to our considerations within Government as we balance them against national security.
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Question
What audit has been done on the nature of research collaborations with China?
Minister reply
The biggest academic partner in that research is the United States, and given China’s economic growth over two decades, it is not surprising that it has emerged as our second largest. We are very aware of the threats conveyed to the House.
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Question
What assessment has been made of China’s dominance in cellular internet modules and kill switches?
Minister reply
I will take no lectures from the hon. Gentleman, whose advice led to potential nuclear information being revealed.
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Question
Can the Foreign Secretary confirm that the Prime Minister will not make his proposed trip to China?
Minister reply
The audit is comprehensive, and there can be no no-go areas for the UK Prime Minister.
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Question
I thank the Foreign Secretary for his statement. It is essential that we have a fuller understanding of the reach of China, as well as of our goals. British citizens have contacted me about the human rights violations, not only against those in China but those who live on our shores. Will the Foreign Secretary ensure that China understands that its reach stops before our shores, and that our people are entitled to think and have freedom of speech whenever they desire, without any fear of reprisal?
Minister reply
The hon. Gentleman is right. We will always fight and press for our democratic norms. We cannot accept repression, oppression and criminal acts committed in our own country. We will stand up to them, and I have made representations to my Chinese interlocutors to make that completely clear.