Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

UK-China Trading Relationship

Thursday 10 June 2021 · 3 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • UK's trading relationship with China was valued at 78.8 billion in 2020, making China the third largest trading partner and seventh largest export market for the UK.
  • Coda Octopus, a company in Joanna Cherry's constituency, has been encouraged by the government to expand its sales to China, using its Echoscope in non-military projects.
  • Jimmy Lai, owner of Hong Kong's largest pro-democracy newspaper, had his assets frozen, affecting his ability to fund journalistic enterprises.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Joanna Cherry SNP
Business & Trade
Context

The question arises from concerns about the economic impact of trade relationships between the UK and China.

Question

What recent assessment she has made of the UK's trading relationship with China. Bilateral trade was worth £78.8 billion in 2020, making China the third largest overall trading partner for the UK and seventh largest export market.

Answer from Graham Stuart

China is an important trading partner for the UK, with bilateral trade worth £78.8 billion in 2020. In fact, China was our third largest overall trading partner and seventh largest export market last year, with UK exports to China amounting to £22.9 billion. The UK also remains a leading destination for Chinese outbound investment in Europe.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask for recent assessment is not directly addressed.

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Q2 Joanna Cherry SNP
Business & Trade
Context

The question arises from concerns about a company based in the MP's constituency losing orders due to changes in export licence regulations.

Question

Coda Octopus, a company based in my constituency, has been encouraged by successive Tory Governments to expand its sales to China. Its world-leading Echoscope is used in underwater port construction and in renewable energy projects, and it does not have a military use. Yet despite a 23-year track record of exports, it is now losing millions of pounds in orders due to a change in attitude on export licences, and responses from the Minister's Department are taking over 100 days. Will the Minister meet me so that I can sort this situation out for my constituents?

Answer from Graham Stuart

I thank the hon. and learned Lady for her reasonable question. It is a delight to have an SNP Member in the Chamber actually championing business and looking to open up markets. We have one of the most rigorous and thorough export licensing regimes in the world, every application is looked at on a case-by-case basis against the consolidated criteria. However, I will ensure that a meeting is set up for her with the appropriate Minister to discuss this.

Answered

Not addressed: null

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Q3 Layla Moran Lib Dem Oxford West and Abingdon
Foreign Affairs
Context

The question arises from concerns about the UK government's approach towards addressing human rights issues related to Jimmy Lai, owner of a pro-democracy newspaper in Hong Kong.

Question

Happy birthday, Mr Speaker. Two weeks ago, we heard that Jimmy Lai, the owner of the largest pro-democracy newspaper in Hong Kong, had not only been sentenced for a second time but has now had his assets frozen. This step makes it incredibly hard to continue to fund his journalistic enterprises, which in turn has a chilling implication for a free press in Hong Kong. Colleagues across this House have called on the Government to implement Magnitsky sanctions, but there is concern that the UK's sluggishness to implement sanctions is because the Government seek a future trade deal with China. Can the Minister clarify: is the prospect of a future deal causing this Government to treat China with leniency it does not deserve?

Answer from Graham Stuart

It is one of the abiding characteristics of the left in general that if they cannot find a scare story they invent one. This Government are clear: we are not seeking a free trade agreement with China. We have led the world in challenging China where we have found it necessary to do so. Working with international partners, we seek to maximise impact on any actions China takes that run counter to its international treaty obligations, including detentions without trial, detention of human rights defenders, and persecution of some religious and ethnic minorities.

Not addressed: The specific ask for clarification is not addressed, instead the answerer criticises the questioner's stance.

How: Criticising

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