Source · Select Committees · Foreign Affairs Committee
Recommendation 3
3
Not Addressed
The Government has committed to a three C’s approach to bilateral relations with China: compete,...
Conclusion
The Government has committed to a three C’s approach to bilateral relations with China: compete, cooperate and challenge. Whilst we of course recognise the need to engage with China, the second largest economy in the world, this cannot come at the cost of trading security for economic growth. (Conclusion, Paragraph 36)
Government response summary AI-generated
The government's response is entirely focused on its commitment to protecting the UK from hostile activity by Iran, including sanctions and the FCDO Iran Unit's expertise, and does not address the Committee's conclusion regarding the government's "three C's" approach to China.
Summary of the government's response below — read the verbatim text to verify.
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government · verbatim extract
Not Addressed
Agree. We will not sacrifice our national security for economic growth. This red line was reiterated by the Prime Minister during his visit to China in January. The Government takes all threats to our national security seriously. Where we identify attempts to threaten our national security or democratic way of life, we will act; information threats are no exception to this. We recognise the importance of raising public awareness of threats to the UK across the information, cyber, and physical domains. The Government is committed to being open about the nature of these threats, as well as responding proportionately. On 4 March, in his statement to Parliament, the Security Minister set out the Government’s assessment of Chinese covert activity, and commitments to tackle this through the Counter-Political Interference and Espionage Action Plan. Our approach to China remains consistent, we will co-operate where we can and challenge where we must. Refusing to engage with China would be a dereliction of duty, leaving British interests on the sidelines.
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