Source · Select Committees · Foreign Affairs Committee
Recommendation 4
4
Accepted
China represents an important security challenge for the UK; it is also an important partner.
Recommendation
China represents an important security challenge for the UK; it is also an important partner. The Integrated Review acknowledged that the UK will need to continue to compete with China in some areas while cooperating in others. When updating the Integrated Review, the Government should address the long-term viability of this approach. The long-term goal must be to foster greater resilience and economic diversification, so that in the future the UK has more freedom to choose its actions in response to any aggression or human rights abuses by the PRC. Key to this is cooperation with key allies to improve our resilience, but also to ensure responses to hostile actions by the PRC are made multilaterally where possible. If we are more resilient to the PRC’s weaponisation of supply chains, we can be more effective on the world stage as a global player. Britain should stand absolute against interference in our own country by the PRC and this should be expressed within the IR. (Paragraph 24) 24 Refreshing our approach? Updating the Integrated Review The future of UK-Europe relations
Government Response Summary
The government is pursuing a multifaceted approach to China through protect, align, and engage, avoiding dependencies in critical supply chains and protecting national security. It commits to developing more robust measures to bolster the UK’s economic security, to publishing a new strategy on supply chains and imports, and to a new Semiconductor Strategy.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
17. As set out in IR2023, the UK is pursuing, with our allies, a multifaceted approach to China through three interrelated strands: protect, align, engage. While avoiding dependencies in our critical supply chains and protecting our national security, we believe that a positive trade and investment relationship can benefit both the UK and China. IR2023 commits to developing more robust measures to bolster the UK’s economic security, to publishing a new strategy on supply chains and imports, and to a new Semiconductor Strategy to improve resilience of semiconductor supply chains at home and overseas. 18. We recognise the importance of coordinating with partners on this. This year we will deliver enhanced cooperation with the G7 on supply chain resilience. We are also strengthening our bilateral relationships, including through a new UK-Canada Critical Minerals Supply Chain Dialogue. 19. The Government also recognises the importance of upholding our values in our trade and supply chains. We are committed to tackling the issue of Uyghur forced labour in supply chains and are taking robust action. Over the last year we have introduced new guidance on the risks of doing business in Xinjiang, introduced enhanced export controls, and in February 2023 introduced new procurement guidance to strengthen the ability of government bodies to exclude suppliers linked to human rights violations. 20. IR2023 makes clear our concern about China’s interference and espionage in the UK, as well as China using its economic power to coerce countries with which it disagrees. The future of UK-Europe relations Conclusion/