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Freedom of Religion or Belief in China — [Christine Jardine in the Chair]
18 March 2026
Lead MP
Marie Rimmer
St Helens South and Whiston
Lab
Responding Minister
Chris Elmore
Tags
Foreign Affairs
Word Count: 12726
Other Contributors: 11
At a Glance
Marie Rimmer raised concerns about freedom of religion or belief in china — [christine jardine in the chair] in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
Rimmer urged the Government to make freedom of religion or belief a sustained priority in its diplomatic efforts, multilateral engagement, sanctions policy, and trade posture with China.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Marie Rimmer expressed deep concern about the systematic repression of religious freedom in China, highlighting specific incidents such as the crackdown on a Christian family summer camp where dozens were detained and pastors Li Jie and Han Xiaodong received harsh sentences. She pointed out that Chinese authorities use vague laws to criminalise ordinary religious practices and imprison those who refuse to submit to state control. Rimmer also discussed severe persecution in Xinjiang, including mass incarceration and cultural destruction, and the systematic targeting of Tibetan Buddhist temples and Falun Gong practitioners. She emphasised that the repression is not limited to one denomination but encompasses all expressions of faith.
Andrew Bowie
Con
Morton
I am concerned that the government does not seem willing to raise this issue at the highest levels of diplomatic engagement with China, which is a serious oversight given the scale and severity of religious persecution in China.
Chris Evans
Lab Co-op
Caerphilly
He expressed concern over the ongoing human rights abuses faced by Uyghur Muslims in China, noting that nearly 150,000 signatures were collected on a petition for sanctions against China. He highlighted that since 2017, over 1 million Uyghurs have been forced into re-education camps and subjected to various forms of abuse, including sexual assault and forced labour. Evans also mentioned the new shared identity law in China which aims to further assimilate Uyghur culture and erode their cultural practices.
Edward Leigh
Con
Gainsborough
He supports the persecution of Muslims and highlights the ideological intolerance of Christianity in China since 1949, with approximately 96.7 million Christians facing illegal registration requirements and religious activities being vulnerable to raids and detention. Edward Leigh, co-chair of the all-party parliamentary group on the Holy See, expressed frustration with the lack of clarity in agreements made by the Vatican. He criticised China's treatment of religious groups and described the Vatican as principled people facing intellectual thugs.
Chingford and Woodford Green
The agreement signed by the Catholic Church allowed the Chinese government to approve bishops, but it did not represent other Christians adequately. He argues that the senior Christian Church bears responsibility for seeing Christianity prosper. Iain Duncan Smith apologised for his late arrival, commended the hon. Member for St Helens South and Whiston for securing the debate, and highlighted China's systematic persecution of religious groups including Christians, Muslims, and Buddhists. He emphasised the plight of the Uyghurs and criticised forced labour practices in China.
Iqbal Mohamed
Ind
Dewsbury and Batley
Congratulates the hon. Lady on securing this debate, questioning if the situation faced by Uyghurs in China is not just restricted religious freedom but something more severe. Agrees with the assessment that Uyghurs are subject to mass detentions and forced labour which could be considered as crimes against humanity or genocide.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Mr. Jim Shannon highlighted the persecution of religious minorities in China, emphasizing the need for the UK Government to hold partners accountable and investigate cases like that of human rights lawyer Gao Zhisheng. He mentioned the severe restrictions on Uyghur Muslims, Christians, Falun Gong practitioners, Tibetan Buddhists, and smaller religious groups. Mr. Shannon also criticized the Chinese Communist party's control over religion, urging the UK Government to support non-governmental organisations reporting on abuses.
Karl McCartney
Constitutional Conservative
Lincoln
The hon. Member for Edinburgh West spoke about the importance of recognising religious persecution in China. I agree with him entirely, but we need to do more than just recognise it—we must act on it.
Luke Taylor
Lib Dem
Sutton and Cheam
Engagement without condition is not diplomacy; it must be grounded in values such as democracy, rule of law, and protection of religious freedoms. China's actions in Hong Kong and Xinjiang are human rights abuses that undermine democratic principles. Luke Taylor called on the Prime Minister to show backbone and prioritize safety for British nationals from Hong Kong over trade deals with China.
Martin Vickers
Con
Brigg and Immingham
Between 2017 and 2020, his daughter worked as a teacher in Shanghai, observing large church gatherings during Easter without any apparent repression of services. He questions whether the situation has worsened over recent years.
Nigel Mills
Con
Amersham
The hon. Gentleman mentioned that it is a good thing to have faith in China, but the reality is that Christians and Muslims are being persecuted.
Wendy Morton
Con
Aldridge-Brownhills
Ms Morton expressed concern over the systematic erosion of freedom of religion or belief in China, particularly in Xinjiang, Tibet, and Hong Kong. She highlighted issues such as mass detention, forced labour, religious site destruction, and restrictions on religious practices and cultural identity. Ms Morton also raised questions about diplomatic engagement with Beijing regarding human rights concerns and the potential impact of approving the new Chinese embassy in London.
Government Response
Chris Elmore
Government Response
The Government strategy on freedom of religion or belief includes focusing on priority countries like China. The minister outlines restrictions faced by various religious groups in China, urging respect for international obligations. He discusses engagement through diplomatic channels and multilateral spaces, highlighting support for communities affected by violations. The UK raises concerns directly with Chinese counterparts at the highest levels and supports initiatives to defend this right.
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Assessment & feedback
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.