Defence Relationships South East Asia 2020-02-03
2020-02-03
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Questions & Answers
Q1
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Context
The UK's defence relationship with south-east Asian nations, focusing on the importance of the South China Sea as a navigation route and source of intra-nation disputes.
Does my right hon. Friend agree that the UK has a vital role to play in ensuring freedom of navigation, providing defence and cyber solutions to south-east Asia, and boosting the five power defence arrangement, as part of our deepening relationship with ASEAN?
I agree. The international rules-based system is being threatened in Asia and across the Pacific, particularly the South China sea. We want to strengthen work with the five power defence arrangements and deepen bilateral relationships with ASEAN member states.
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Q2
Direct Answer
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The Government's stance on challenging China in the South China Sea and granting Huawei access to UK telecoms systems.
Despite challenging China militarily, why has the Government granted Huawei significant access to our cyber and telecoms systems?
Our policy is measured, testing freedom of navigation in the Pacific while listening to experts on Huawei. We allow a limited amount of 5G market access but cap its use, ban it in parts of the network, and reduce dependency over time.
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