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China
20 July 2020
Lead MP
Dominic Raab
Debate Type
General Debate
Tags
Foreign Affairs
Other Contributors: 46
At a Glance
Dominic Raab raised concerns about china in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
The UK Government seeks a positive relationship with China but also protects its interests. The statement highlights the new national security law imposed on Hong Kong as a violation of international obligations, leading to measures such as an arms embargo extension and suspension of the extradition treaty. The Home Secretary will provide further details on immigration routes for British Nationals (Overseas) and their dependants.
Dominic Raab
Con
Arundel and South Downs
The UK Government recognises China’s role in the world but is clear about protecting its interests. The imposition of new national security legislation on Hong Kong necessitates measures like extending an arms embargo to Hong Kong and suspending the extradition treaty with Hong Kong until safeguards are in place.
Lisa Nandy
Lab
Wigan
The Opposition welcomes the measures announced, including the suspension of exports and extradition treaty. They urge further steps such as reviewing police training in Hong Kong, coordinating with international allies on extradition treaties, ensuring security assessments for nuclear projects like Bradwell, supporting legitimate candidates in Hong Kong elections, working on Magnitsky sanctions against Chinese officials involved in Uyghur persecution, condemning businesses that support the national security law, and addressing issues with BNO passport holders’ benefits.
Dominic Raab
15:43:00
The Foreign Secretary thanks the Labour MP for her support and emphasises the cross-party approach. He acknowledges the need to review policing matters, commits to ongoing work on BNO passport holders' benefits, welcomes international coordination efforts with Germany and other Commonwealth countries, states a rigorous review of investments from a security standpoint, reiterates support for fair Hong Kong elections, clarifies homework done on Magnitsky sanctions despite opposition claims, condemns businesses supporting the national security law in Hong Kong, and emphasises the importance of balancing opportunities and risks in relations with China.
Thomas Tugendhat
Con
Tonbridge
Thanked the Foreign Secretary for recent policy changes, questioned him about actions regarding Uyghur Muslim population in western China, and raised concerns over judges sitting on the Court of Final Appeal.
Acknowledged support from Thomas Tugendhat and other MPs. Announced a balanced approach to Hong Kong that recognises severity but maintains relationship with Beijing. Addressed questions regarding Xinjiang, judges in the Court of Final Appeal, extraterritoriality, and extradition.
Alyn Smith
SNP
Na h-Eileanan an Iar
Complimented the tone and content of the Foreign Secretary's statement. Supported measures regarding Magnitsky sanctions and suspension of extradition treaty but raised concerns about academic freedom, Confucius institutes, and security implications for universities.
Chingford and Woodford Green
Welcomed the Foreign Secretary's statement on suspending the extradition treaty. Encouraged him to impose sanctions on individuals responsible for abuses in Xinjiang and Hong Kong, citing recent reports.
Alistair Carmichael
Lib Dem
Orkney and Shetland
Acknowledged necessity of backward steps such as suspending extradition and export controls. Raised concerns about import restrictions on surveillance technology manufactured by Hikvision and urged the Foreign Secretary to admit evidence of genocide in Xinjiang.
Nusrat Ghani
Con
Sussex Weald
Welcomed the Foreign Secretary's statement on developing a new relationship with China, noted concerns about human rights abuses in Xinjiang, called for sight of American sanctions evidence and consideration of convening an independent inquiry to collect evidence regarding potential genocide.
Navendu Mishra
Lab
Stockport
Expressed concern over footage from 'The Andrew Marr Show', asked the Foreign Secretary to raise Magnitsky sanctions with Pompeo, and questioned whether imposing sanctions on individuals involved in Uyghur persecution should be a priority.
Agreed with the need for balance in UK-China relations but emphasised the necessity of significant resets regarding multiple issues including Hong Kong, foreign lobbying, investment, espionage, human rights and alliances. Asked how these measures fit into a broader strategy.
Feryal Clark
Lab
Enfield North
Welcomed the Foreign Secretary’s announcement on BNOs but requested details of steps being taken to guarantee visa rights, extensions, and protections for young pro-democracy activists without BNO passport holder status.
Andrew Mitchell
Con
Sutton Coldfield
Welcomed the tone and content of the Foreign Secretary's statement, emphasised the importance of co-operation with China on climate change negotiations, and requested assurance that human rights measures are aimed at abusers regardless of their national origin.
Emphasised history’s lesson against staying silent in the face of abuses to Uyghur community, called for Government to remind Chinese authorities about wholesale breaches of human rights and step in where evidence exists.
Jerome Mayhew
Con
Broadland and Fakenham
Discussed China's breach of the Sino-British Joint Declaration, agreed that rules-based international system must be defended while welcoming China's development as a leading economic power.
Graham Stringer
Lab
Blackley and Middleton South
The measures announced by the Foreign Secretary are supported but there is concern that his preamble was optimistic. China's attitude towards undermining international organisations like the WHO, WTO, and others needs to be addressed more explicitly.
Defends being stubbornly optimistic about global Britain in its relations with China while acknowledging China must live up to its international obligations. Discusses working closely with multilateral institutions to uphold the rule of law and supports specific examples like the World Intellectual Property Organisation.
Strongly supports the measures announced but asks for assurance that these will be upheld against pressure from China.
Dominic Raab
Minister
Confirms commitment to stand behind measures despite expected Chinese response and emphasises the importance of resilience in economy, security, and values.
Chi Onwurah
Lab
Newcastle upon Tyne Central
Welcomes strong action over Hong Kong and Uyghurs but expresses concern about reports that exclusion from the 5G network was due to US pressure rather than national security.
Clarifies that measures were based on technical necessity following US sanctions, highlighting the importance of diversifying supply chains and telecoms providers.
Calls for a commitment to human rights everywhere and asks if there is assurance for oppressed minorities across China.
Dominic Raab
Minister
Confirms freedom of religion and expression are under threat in Hong Kong and Xinjiang, indicating these issues will be raised with China and international partners.
Expresses concern over the persecution of Uyghurs pointing towards demographic genocide. Requests meeting civil society groups to gather evidence for Magnitsky sanctions.
Dominic Raab
Minister
Acknowledges concerns and commits to examining all available evidence regarding human rights abuses in Xinjiang, citing various reports from international organisations.
Welcomes the statement but expresses concern over China’s increasing aggression externally and repression internally. Suggests that actions may be economically beneficial while standing up to a bullying regime.
Dominic Raab
Minister
Acknowledges concerns about China's path of increased aggression and suggests using every lever for leverage, emphasising the need to unite people together.
Asks if travel bans and asset freezes will be considered against those involved in serious human rights violations against Falun Gong.
Dominic Raab
Minister
Expresses concern over persecution of various religious groups including Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, and Falun Gong practitioners.
Asks if the UK will continue to oppose resolutions made under item 7 at the UN Human Rights Council which singles out Israel while ignoring China's systemic abuse against Uyghurs.
Dominic Raab
Minister
Commits to holding countries accountable for human rights abuses and mitigating politicisation of these issues by others.
Questions the FCO's engagement with civil society organisations in Hong Kong and requests designations under the Global Human Rights Sanctions Regulations 2020 against officials responsible for violations in both Hong Kong and China.
Dominic Raab
Minister
Confirms assessment of evidence without prejudice, mentions ongoing engagement with civil society movements regarding Hong Kong and more broadly.
Requests assurance that other extradition treaties will be reviewed to prevent China exploiting routes to extradite citizens back to face questionable charges.
Dominic Raab
Minister
Reassures the House about existing safeguards in recent extradition treaty arrangements and confirms ongoing engagement with civil society movements.
Holly Lynch
Lab/Co-op
Halifax
Welcomed the Foreign Secretary's announcement regarding forced mass sterilisations in China. Asked for more information on conversations with international partners to establish evidence of human rights abuses.
Dominic Raab
Con
Esher and Walton
Expressed disgust at the idea of forced sterilisation and acknowledged the need to work with traditional partners while building support among like-minded countries. Emphasised the importance of consensus-building in addressing China's actions.
Tobias Ellwood
Con
Bury North
Welcomed the robust attitude towards China but questioned whether this was a turning point where the pretence that China shares western values should be dropped. Called for a strategic overhaul of foreign policy in relation to China.
Rachael Maskell
Lab/Co-op
York Central
Pressed the Government on why it took so long to respond and questioned whether there was a strategic plan with international counterparts to protect those experiencing human rights abuses in Hong Kong and mainland China.
Welcomed today’s announcement by the Foreign Secretary and asked if China must adhere to international law to be treated as a leading member of the international community.
Daniel Zeichner
Lab
Cambridge
Asked about plans should Chinese student numbers fall due to measures taken against human rights abuses in Hong Kong. Inquired how to reassure Chinese students and those of Chinese origin that they are safe and welcome in the UK.
Stephen Metcalfe
Con
South Basildon and East Thurrock
Agreed with the Foreign Secretary’s statement regarding the detrimental impact of the national security law on Hong Kong and China itself, urging that this be pointed out to China.
Caroline Lucas
Green
Brighton Pavilion
Welcomed new measures but pressed for acceleration in applying Magnitsky sanctions and questioned the decision to give investment opportunities in nuclear technology to state-owned CGN.
John Redwood
Con
Wokingham
Suggested making a study of essential technologies where dependence on China leaves the UK vulnerable, proposing a strategy for developing these at home or with allies.
Alex Norris
Lab/Co-op
Nottingham North and Kimberley
Asked if the Government would look seriously at amendments to the Medicines and Medical Devices Bill that aim to stop human tissue involuntarily harvested in China entering the UK market.
Richard Graham
Con
Gloucester
Inquired whether the suspension of the extradition treaty with Hong Kong means 'one country, two systems' is dead or if further steps will be taken while working to preserve other aspects of the joint declaration.
Government Response
The Foreign Secretary thanks Lisa Nandy for her response and acknowledges Labour's support. He discusses various points such as policing reviews, BNO passport holders' benefits, international coordination, investment reviews, Hong Kong elections, Magnitsky sanctions, business condemnations, and the balance of opportunities and risks in China relations. Acknowledged support from MPs, announced balanced approach towards Hong Kong, addressed questions on Magnitsky sanctions, extradition treaty, and security implications for universities. Emphasised the need to assess evidence carefully before imposing sanctions. Discusses measures taken against China, emphasising commitment to human rights while acknowledging challenges. Provides reassurances on various issues including Huawei exclusion, Uyghur persecution, Falun Gong abuse, and extradition treaties. Responded to various questions by expressing the need for careful consideration and collaboration with international partners. Emphasised the importance of legal preparation in taking swift but proportionate measures.
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