China Countering Threats 2022-07-18
2022-07-18
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
▸
Context
In the context of the NATO Strategic Concept and a joint address from MI5 and FBI heads, concerns about state threats originating in China are raised.
What steps his Department plans to take to counter threats originating in China in the context of the 79-022 NATO Strategic Concept and joint address from the heads of MI5 and the FBI. The director general of MI5 has said: “The most game-changing challenge we face comes from the Chinese Communist Party.”
The Ministry of Defence and the whole of Government are taking active steps to counter state threats from China. In line with the NATO strategic concept, we are working with allies to increase our shared understanding and to protect against China's coercive tactics. Together with other Departments, we have strengthened investment screening, the academic technology approval scheme and our export control regimes.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Concerns have been raised about the number of Mandarin speakers available to understand and counter threats from China.
The director general of MI5 has said: “The most game-changing challenge we face comes from the Chinese Communist Party.” At the last count, the UK Foreign Office had some 63 Mandarin speakers. Can the Minister tell us how many the Ministry of Defence has?
No. I will have to write to the hon. Gentleman.
▸
Assessment & feedback
The number of Mandarin speakers in the Ministry of Defence
I Will Have To Write To The Hon. Gentleman
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Concerns about emerging threats from China have prompted a reevaluation of NATO's priorities, including the importance of defending in cyber and space.
Does my hon. Friend agree that the emerging threats from China show NATO was right to make cyber and space among the key frontiers, along with the traditional three, and that, when looking at defence procurement and how money is spent, we are world leading in these vital areas of defence?
I absolutely agree with my right hon. Friend, but we should not think that our competition with China is exclusively concentrated on the high-end warfighting capabilities that may or may not be required in the first and second island chains. Every single week, we compete with China for influence around the world. Maintaining the defence effort across the global south to protect our interests around the Commonwealth is every bit as important as preparing to stand alongside the US in anything that might happen in the Pacific.
▸
Assessment & feedback
The focus on high-end warfighting capabilities and competition with China for influence worldwide, rather than specific procurement measures.
Response accuracy