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Eighth Report - Tilting horizons: the Integrated Review and the Indo-Pacific

Foreign Affairs Committee HC 172 Published 30 August 2023
Report Status
Government responded
Conclusions & Recommendations
67 items (32 recs)
Government Response
AI assessment · 67 of 67 classified
Accepted 16
Accepted in Part 12
Acknowledged 10
Deferred 20
Not Addressed 3
Rejected 6
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Recommendations

32 results
8 Accepted

Sustain Indo-Pacific policy initiatives consistently over time and communicate clearly to all partners.

Recommendation
We welcome the acceptance in the Refresh of our recommendation that the Government work away from the word “tilt” to describe its policy towards the Indo-Pacific while continuing to prioritise the region. We also welcome the list of additional actions … Read more
Government Response Summary
The government agrees the Indo-Pacific is a long-term policy and commits to increasing strategic communications resources in the region to ensure sustained communication of its goals and intentions, directly addressing the committee's recommendation.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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12 Acknowledged
Para 44

Explain Indo-Pacific prioritisation translated into long-term FCDO budget and diplomatic post allocation.

Recommendation
The Government should now explain how its prioritisation of the Indo-Pacific region will be translated into long-term resource allocation, for example in a reallocation of FCDO budget towards the Indo-Pacific and an increase in the number of diplomatic posts in … Read more
Government Response Summary
The government agrees the Indo-Pacific is a long-term priority and critical for the UK, but it does not explain how this prioritisation will translate into long-term resource allocation, budget reallocation, or an increase in diplomatic posts in the region as requested.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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13 Accepted in Part
Para 45

Enumerate extra expenditure comprehensively for China capabilities and diplomatic relationship strengthening.

Recommendation
The Government should enumerate extra expenditure more comprehensively and transparently than it has done in the Refresh. We welcome the doubling of funding to build China capabilities; this should be itemised in broad terms so that it is clear what … Read more
Government Response Summary
The government agrees and provides detailed itemisation of the doubled funding for China capabilities, outlining curriculum, training, events, and language offers, but does not provide broader enumeration of other extra expenditure or costs for diplomatic and people-to-people relationships.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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14 Accepted in Part
Para 46

Ensure commensurate uplift of CSSF funding allocated for the Indo-Pacific region.

Recommendation
The Government should also ensure the commensurate uplift of CSSF funding for Indo-Pacific region is put in place.
Government Response Summary
The government partially agrees to increase CSSF funding for the Indo-Pacific, stating that CSSF already prioritises the region, but that funding adjustments are made annually based on resources and evolving priorities due to fiscal challenges.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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15 Accepted in Part
Para 47

Publish and implement long-term language strategy for Indo-Pacific languages, including diplomat policy.

Recommendation
We recommend that the FCDO publish and implement a long-term, sustainable language strategy for Indo-Pacific languages, including targets for language learning, encouraging the establishment and/or expansion of language teaching in UK by Tilting horizons: the Integrated Review and the Indo-Pacific … Read more
Government Response Summary
The government partially agrees, detailing existing FCDO language learning systems and targets, but indicating limitations in adjusting diplomat posting policy. For broader language teaching, it cites existing school programmes and curriculum updates, noting education is a devolved matter, without committing to new university funding.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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16 Deferred

Restore and initiate BBC World Service coverage in discontinued and new Indo-Pacific languages.

Recommendation
While welcoming the extra £20 million to be spent on the BBC World Service, including for protecting the 42 foreign languages in which it broadcasts, we recommend that World Service coverage should be restored in languages which have been discontinued … Read more
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the committee's support for increased economic engagement with the Indo-Pacific region and discusses its importance for global growth and UK prosperity, without addressing the specific recommendation regarding BBC World Service language coverage.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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17 Deferred
Para 59

Publish unclassified China Strategy and sector-specific guidance for critical industries.

Recommendation
The Government should urgently publish an unclassified version of its China Strategy to ensure cross-Government coherence and also publish sector-specific guidance to support, in particular, industries of critical national importance, national security, or data-intensive industries. It must also ensure all … Read more
Government Response Summary
The government's response discusses its economic engagement with the Indo-Pacific region and its growth, completely sidestepping the recommendation to urgently publish an unclassified China Strategy and sector-specific guidance.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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18 Deferred
Para 64

Proactively communicate unacceptability of PRC intimidation policy to China and international fora.

Recommendation
[We believe that the activities outlined in the report, such as the attack on demonstrators outside the Chinese consulate in Manchester. are not isolated incidents, but rather a sustained attempt by the PRC to intimidate expats and dissidents from China … Read more
Government Response Summary
The government's response discusses its economic engagement with the Indo-Pacific region and its growth, completely sidestepping the recommendation to proactively address Chinese intimidation tactics against dissidents and raise the issue with China and in international fora.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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19 Accepted
Para 65

Proactively challenge and communicate unacceptability of PRC attacks on Hong Kong dissidents.

Recommendation
The Government must recognise repeated attacks on Hong Kong dissidents as part of wider PRC policy of repression, and proactively challenge this behaviour and communicate the unacceptability of such a policy directly with representatives of the PRC.
Government Response Summary
The government agrees that transnational repression on UK soil is unacceptable, affirming its zero-tolerance approach and commitment to protecting individuals. It states that it regularly communicates its expectations directly to concerned countries, including regarding Hong Kong activists.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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22 Accepted
Para 71

Announce a clear zero-tolerance policy for transnational repression and expel offending foreign diplomats.

Recommendation
The Government should have had a policy of zero tolerance of transnational repression. It is unacceptable that this has not been the position up to now. It should now announce a clear policy of zero tolerance of transnational repression and … Read more
Government Response Summary
The government agrees on the unacceptability of transnational repression, affirms its zero-tolerance approach, and commits to taking all necessary action to protect individuals on UK shores, communicating expectations to foreign powers.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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24 Not Addressed
Para 86

Intensify efforts to discourage data harvesting technologies and launch national discussion on data release.

Recommendation
The Government should intensify its efforts to discourage the use of superficially harmless technologies (e.g. Hikvision surveillance cameras) which are capable of being used for remote data harvesting. The Government should also launch a national discussion around data release, and … Read more
Government Response Summary
The government's response focuses on transnational repression and economic coercion, failing to address the recommendation to intensify efforts against problematic surveillance technologies like Hikvision or launch a national discussion on data privacy and exfiltration.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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25 Accepted
Para 87

Create a strategic dependency risk assessment for CNI technologies to mitigate China reliance.

Recommendation
The Government recognises the threat that the Chinese Communist Party could use economic coercion to influence UK decision making by targeting strategically critical sectors. The Government has not taken adequate action to tackle this threat. It must work to identify … Read more
Government Response Summary
The government agrees on the need to build resilience against China's economic coercion, confirming it is identifying dependencies in critical sectors, taking action to mitigate risks through diversification, and developing the Critical National Infrastructure Resilience Strategy.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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26 Acknowledged

Establish a central CNI list to improve coordination and clarify priority areas.

Recommendation
Cross-government and external agency coordination in mitigating the risk of technological dependence on China is uneven and disjointed. The Government should create a central CNI list to improve coordination and clarify areas of priority. With the technology sector now dominated … Read more
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the need for CNI resilience and states it is developing a Critical National Infrastructure Resilience Strategy. However, it does not explicitly commit to creating a central CNI list to improve coordination as recommended.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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27 Deferred

Explain the Government's current stance on RCEP and IPEF trade blocs.

Recommendation
[Neither the Integrated Review (IR) nor the Refresh mentions the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), the world’s largest trade bloc, which, though China-dominated, includes the UK’s allies in the Indo-Pacific, Japan, Australia and New Zealand. (The UK is a founding … Read more
Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the committee on the importance of understanding China and commits to investing in civil servants' skills and knowledge in this area, but does not explain its stance towards the RCEP and IPEF trade blocs as recommended.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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28 Deferred
Para 92

Publish assessments of IPEF's progress and RCEP's role, considering potential UK membership.

Recommendation
The Government should publish, by December 2023, an assessment of progress made to date in the development of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF), for example to what extent it might serve UK interests and objectives in the Indo-Pacific … Read more
Government Response Summary
The Government supports Taiwanese participation in international organizations as a member where statehood is not a prerequisite and as an observer or guest where it is. They are waiting for key parliamentary processes to take place to ratify the deal, so they will not comment on any other economies’ interest in the agreement.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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29 Deferred
Para 93

Explore opportunities to develop people-to-people and defence links with Indo-Pacific Commonwealth countries.

Recommendation
The Government should explore and exploit opportunities for further developing of people-to-people and defence/security links with Commonwealth countries in the Indo-Pacific region, based on historical ties and shared values.
Government Response Summary
The government agrees but responds by detailing its commitment to investing in civil servants' skills to better understand China, which is unrelated to developing people-to-people and defence/security links with Commonwealth countries.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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33 Deferred

Propose inviting Japan and South Korea to join AUKUS Strand B activities.

Recommendation
The Government should propose to Australia and the United States that Japan and South Korea be invited to join an AUKUS technological defence cooperation agreement focused on Strand B activities only. (Paragraph 101) 70 Tilting horizons: the Integrated Review and … Read more
Government Response Summary
The government will keep all options under consideration to ensure AUKUS Pillar II can adapt to the evolving technological landscape and notes the Committee’s recommendation on potential membership.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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35 Deferred
Para 107

Explain Government's approach to linking trade agreements with human rights record.

Recommendation
The Government should explain whether it is adopting a two-track approach: negotiating trade agreements separately from discussions on human rights, or a conditional approach: in which trade deals are explicitly linked to—and limited by— our trading partner’s human rights record. Read more
Government Response Summary
The government partially agrees but does not explain its approach to linking trade agreements with human rights. Instead, it highlights its increased diplomatic presence and understanding of local context in Pacific Island Countries.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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37 Accepted
Para 109

Rectify Government's failure to sanction companies for supply chain human rights abuses.

Recommendation
The Government has as yet failed to sanction any companies for human rights abuses within their supply chains, demonstrating a lack of resolve towards preventing Uyghur forced labour products from flooding the UK. The Government should rectify this.
Government Response Summary
The government agrees it is unacceptable for states to violate human rights unsanctioned, and states the UK already takes robust action against human rights abuses in Xinjiang, including export controls, business guidance, and Magnitsky-style sanctions against Chinese officials and entities.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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38 Accepted

Denounce human rights abuses by autocracies and coordinate UNSC action to end them.

Recommendation
The Government must not be silent on human rights abuses, including state hostage- taking, by autocracies like the PRC and should use its status as a permanent member of the UN Security Council to denounce such abuses and coordinate action … Read more
Government Response Summary
The government agrees to the recommendation and states it remains committed to using its UN Security Council seat to denounce human rights abuses, work with international partners, and make its position on human rights clear, citing a recent joint statement at the UN Human Rights Council.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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39 Deferred
Para 124

Establish Indo-Pacific Diplomatic Academy to build partner government foreign policy capacity.

Recommendation
The Government should establish a Diplomatic Academy in the Indo-Pacific region to build capacity in foreign policy formulation and diplomatic representation in partner governments that wish to make use of it. This would be a projection of soft power and … Read more
Government Response Summary
The government agrees and is actively exploring options for new approaches to capacity building, including the feasibility of establishing a new UK training offer for partner governments in the Indo-Pacific.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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41 Deferred
Para 131

Assess CPTPP provisions supporting business mobility alongside existing bilateral agreements with Indo-Pacific countries.

Recommendation
The Government should assess Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans- Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) provisions supporting business mobility alongside existing commitments in bilateral agreements with countries in the Indo-Pacific such as the FTAs with Australia and New Zealand. Read more
Government Response Summary
The government partially agrees but addresses its FCDO language learning system for speaker slots and staff development in the Indo-Pacific region, which is unrelated to assessing CPTPP business mobility provisions.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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42 Deferred

Examine current visa procedures to facilitate entry for visitors from Indo-Pacific partner countries.

Recommendation
We recommend that the Government examine current visa procedures with a view to facilitating entry for those visiting the UK from Indo-Pacific partner countries for purposes such as studying, teaching or doing business. (Paragraph 132) Tilting horizons: the Integrated Review … Read more
Government Response Summary
The government partially agrees but addresses its FCDO language learning system for speaker slots and staff development in the Indo-Pacific region, which is unrelated to examining visa procedures for visitors.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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44 Accepted
Para 137

Initiate Free Trade Agreement negotiations with ASEAN and strengthen bilateral relationships with member countries.

Recommendation
We recommend that as well as taking full advantage of the UK’s recently acquired status as a Dialogue Partner of ASEAN, the UK should begin negotiations for an FTA with ASEAN, and concentrate equally on building bilateral relationships with ASEAN … Read more
Government Response Summary
The government agrees, outlining how it is already leveraging its ASEAN Dialogue Partner status through a new Plan of Action, pursuing FTAs with Indonesia and India, and actively building bilateral relationships with ASEAN members through partnerships in areas like energy transition, maritime security, finance, and technology.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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53 Accepted in Part
Para 170

Press for Taiwan to gain membership in key international bodies and organisations

Recommendation
The Government should press for Taiwan to take its place in international bodies, including the WHO, the OECD, the IEA and the CPTPP, for the benefit of all countries.
Government Response Summary
The government partially agrees, stating support for Taiwanese participation in international organizations as a member where statehood is not a prerequisite and as an observer or guest where it is, specifically citing support for observer status at the World Health Assembly.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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54 Deferred

Publish five-year plan for scaling UK-Taiwan English and Mandarin language teaching cooperation

Recommendation
We recommend that the Government this year publish a plan to scale up its cooperation with Taiwan over the next five years on English language teaching in Taiwan and Mandarin teaching in the UK to meet the requirements of Taiwan’s … Read more
Government Response Summary
The government agrees but responds by stating that it will not tolerate attempts by any foreign power to intimidate, harass, or harm individuals or communities in the UK, failing to address the recommendation regarding language teaching cooperation with Taiwan or Confucius Institutes.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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57 Deferred
Para 198

Establish timetable for signing digital partnership agreement with Republic of Korea, including semiconductors

Recommendation
The Government should establish a timetable for signing a digital partnership agreement with the Republic of Korea similar to the one the UK has with Japan within the framework of the 2022 UK-Korea bilateral framework of cooperation. This should include … Read more
Government Response Summary
The government's response discusses China and Hong Kong's attempts to intimidate individuals, which is unrelated to the recommendation to establish a timetable for a digital partnership agreement with the Republic of Korea.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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58 Deferred
Para 199

Support formal agreement for closer AUKUS Strand B engagement with Japan towards membership

Recommendation
The Government should support a formal agreement on closer engagement of AUKUS Strand B with Japan in the short term with a potential view to eventual Japanese membership of AUKUS, which would greatly strengthen AUKUS’ role in the Indo- Pacific.
Government Response Summary
The government agrees but responds with a general statement condemning attempts by China and Hong Kong to intimidate individuals and affirming the UK's commitment to freedom of expression, completely unrelated to supporting AUKUS engagement with Japan.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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61 Deferred
Para 208

Review Indian ownership transparency laws and prioritise tech partnerships with India.

Recommendation
The UK Government should review recent Indian legislation around transparency of ownership and consider whether any measures therein could be adopted in British legislation. The UK should prioritise big data, AI, biological engineering and tech manufacturing relationships with India. There … Read more
Government Response Summary
The government partially agrees but then discusses strengthening national security protections related to the CCP, entirely missing the recommendation concerning reviewing Indian legislation and prioritising tech relationships with India.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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63 Rejected
Para 213

Set deadline for India-UK FTA and negotiate supply chain agreements with India.

Recommendation
We recommend that the Government set a deadline for the early conclusion of negotiations on the India-UK FTA. Unless already included in the FTA, the Government should also consider negotiating agreements with India similar to the UK-Australia supply chain and … Read more
Government Response Summary
The government rejects setting a deadline for the India-UK FTA, stating it will only sign a deal in the UK's best interests. It acknowledges the importance of resilient supply chains and existing trade/cooperation with India on manufacturing, but does not commit to new specific agreements with India or address maritime security cooperation.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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64 Accepted in Part

Expand Science and Technology cooperation and support increased Indian student numbers.

Recommendation
The Government should also seek to support student numbers to grow from India, but also expand our Science and Technology co-operation, putting it at the centre of our ambitions with our Indian partners. (Paragraph 214) Indonesia
Government Response Summary
The government partially agrees regarding student numbers, welcoming Indian students as part of a broader goal to host 600,000 international students by 2030, but does not commit to increasing numbers from specific countries. It fully supports and is expanding Science and Technology cooperation with India, citing a new MoU and India's partnership in the International Science Partnerships Fund.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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67 Accepted

Explain government support for efforts to end violence against women and girls in Pacific Islands.

Recommendation
The Government should explain if, and, if so, how it is supporting the Pacific Partnership and other efforts to end violence against women and girls (VAWG) in the Pacific Islands. (Paragraph 256) 74 Tilting horizons: the Integrated Review and the … Read more
Government Response Summary
The government agreed to explain and confirmed its ongoing support for efforts to end violence against women and girls in the Pacific Islands, detailing existing contributions to UN Women and the UN Trust Fund.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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Conclusions (35)

Observations and findings
1 Conclusion Rejected
Para 20
The Indo-Pacific Tilt served to confirm an existing trend of increasing engagement with countries in the Indo-Pacific region and demonstrated the intent of Government to persist with and deepen this engagement in the long term. However, there has been no explanation of the outcomes that the Government expects from the …
Government Response Summary
The government disagrees with the committee's assessment that it has not clearly set out its long-term objectives for the Indo-Pacific Tilt, citing previous Integrated Reviews and ministerial speeches, and states it is increasing strategic communications resources in the region.
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2 Conclusion Accepted in Part
Para 23
Therefore, we welcome the Foreign Secretary’s recognition that delivery of the Tilt’s outcomes is by no means complete, that his statement provides long-term intent, and that the Government will be keen to ensure that it is supported by a correspondingly long-term shift in resources and a clearer enunciation of the …
Government Response Summary
The government agrees the Indo-Pacific is a long-term priority and states it is increasing strategic communications resources in the region. However, it disagrees with the implication that it has not clearly set out its long-term objectives.
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3 Conclusion Accepted
Para 25
While we support a stronger foreign policy focus on the Indo-Pacific region, it should not be achieved at the expense of regions where we have historic and pressing commitments, in particular the Middle East.
Government Response Summary
The government agrees, stating the Integrated Review Refresh already clearly identifies the Middle East as a geographic priority integral to UK interests, confirming existing policy aligns with the committee's view.
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4 Conclusion Acknowledged
Para 26
We welcome the realistic and pragmatic response in the Refresh to recent geopolitical events and trends, in particular the primary focus on the Euro-Atlantic and the establishment of the Indo-Pacific as a permanent pillar of the UK’s international policy.
Government Response Summary
The government agrees that the Indo-Pacific must be a long-term and enduring aspect of UK international policy, compatible with the Euro-Atlantic remaining a core priority.
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5 Conclusion Accepted
Para 28
We support the continued prioritisation of the UK’s relationship with Indo-Pacific countries and all efforts to expand trade and investment links with one of the fastest growing regions of the world, which will benefit the economies of the UK and our partners globally.
Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the committee's support and details specific actions, including signing the CPTPP Accession Protocol, pursuing further FTAs, increasing inward investment, and tackling market access barriers in the Indo-Pacific region.
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6 Conclusion Not Addressed
Para 29
[The Refresh states that the Tilt was pursued largely through non-military instruments, such as diplomacy, trade, development, technological exchange and engagement with regional organisations, with only a modest increase in defence spending.] This stress on the use of diplomatic instruments should continue to the extent possible, alongside effective deterrence to …
Government Response Summary
The government's response reiterates the Indo-Pacific's importance and efforts in strategic communications but does not specifically address the committee's recommendation to continue the stress on diplomatic instruments and effective deterrence.
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7 Conclusion Acknowledged
Para 30
It is not yet clear whether the Tilt has achieved a permanent rebalancing of UK foreign policy. It will only have done so if prioritisation is maintained consistently over a long period during which relationships can be built and sustained on the basis of the original Tilt.
Government Response Summary
The government agrees the Indo-Pacific is a long-term and enduring aspect of UK international policy, asserting that it now forms a permanent pillar of policy, thus addressing the committee's point about clarity on rebalancing.
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9 Conclusion Accepted
Para 40
[In the Refresh the Government states that it will double funding to build China capabilities across government to better understand China and allow the UK to engage confidently where it is in our interests to do so.] This is a welcome development, but no detail has been provided.
Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the committee's observation and provides extensive detail on the China Capability Programme, outlining its curriculum, training, international events, and cross-government Mandarin language offer.
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10 Conclusion Accepted in Part
Para 41
[The Refresh is more specific in announcing that £20 million will be provided to enable the BBC World Service to protect all 42 World Service language services, support English language broadcasting and counter disinformation.] This is also a welcome development, though World Service language coverage still needs to be restored …
Government Response Summary
The government partially agrees, recognising the importance of the World Service's role; however, the visible response then pivots to economic connections and does not directly address the specific need to restore or initiate language coverage for several Indo-Pacific countries.
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11 Conclusion Acknowledged
Para 43
The continuing high priority of the Indo-Pacific in the 2023 Refresh should be matched by a commensurately expanded resource allocation to ensure delivery. While welcoming the doubling of spending on China-facing capability and the £20 million more for the BBC World Service, there needs to be more transparency on the …
Government Response Summary
The government agrees that the Indo-Pacific is a long-term and enduring aspect of UK international policy, critical to the economy and security, but does not provide details on expanded resource allocation or increased transparency.
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20 Conclusion Rejected
Para 69
We welcome the Government’s China policy statement in general terms in the Refresh. However, this policy now needs to be fleshed out so that practitioners such as academics and businesspeople can be fully aware of the limits within which they can operate with and in China. The FCDO should explain …
Government Response Summary
The government states there is no need to publish an additional China Strategy to flesh out its policy, reiterating its existing approach of protecting national security, aligning with allies, and engaging where in UK interests, coordinated by the National Security Secretariat.
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21 Conclusion Not Addressed
In the absence of a publicly available, and practical, strategy for business, academia, civil society and others to adhere to, it is vital that the Government updates existing legislation and guidance in an urgent and clear manner so that organisations can understand the parameters within which they should be operating. …
Government Response Summary
The government's response discusses transnational repression and economic coercion, failing to address the specific recommendation for updating legislation and guidance to clarify operational parameters for businesses, academia, and civil society engaging with China.
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23 Conclusion Acknowledged
Para 73
We must recognise that all pillars of society are under attack from autocracies and that our resulting defence against them must be a defence of all of our society.
Government Response Summary
The government's response discusses its zero-tolerance approach to transnational repression and efforts to build resilience against economic coercion, thereby implicitly acknowledging societal threats, but does not explicitly address the broad conclusion on defending all pillars of society.
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30 Conclusion Accepted in Part
Para 95
[While stressing the importance of AUKUS, the Refresh makes no mention of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (the Quad) established in 2007 and renewed since 2017 between Australia, India, Japan and the United States. We heard differing opinions from witnesses on whether the UK should apply to join the Quad, with …
Government Response Summary
The government partially agrees, stating that membership of the Quad is not necessary but the UK will continue to work with Quad members bilaterally and multilaterally on critical issues.
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31 Conclusion Accepted in Part
Para 96
Given the strength of our bilateral defence relationships with Quad members and the correlation between the UK’s and Quad’s objectives, the UK should seek to join the Quad.
Government Response Summary
The government partially agrees, stating that membership of the Quad is not necessary but the UK will continue to work with Quad members bilaterally and multilaterally on critical issues.
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32 Conclusion Acknowledged
Para 97
A Free and Open Indo-Pacific is the right basis for cooperation between widely differing countries in the region on common policy areas, as it establishes basic principles on which like-minded countries can agree and then move on to fashion shared approaches to putting them into practice. Again, if we wish …
Government Response Summary
The government agreed with the objective of a free and open Indo-Pacific and stated it is a clear, critical, and enduring aspect of the UK's international policy.
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34 Conclusion Deferred
In the face of challenges such as the more aggressive role of China in the South China Sea, the Five-Power Defence Arrangements, with their solid history of military cooperation, could be a firm basis for a wider regional alliance in Southeast Asia. (Paragraph 102) Human rights and the Rules-Based International …
Government Response Summary
The government partially agrees, highlighting the importance of diplomatic presence and building partnerships, and states it has already doubled the number of British High Commissions across Pacific Island Countries in the last four years, rather than addressing the role of the Five-Power Defence Arrangements for a wider regional alliance.
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36 Conclusion Rejected
Para 108
It is unacceptable that trade should be prioritised over human rights to the extent that states that regularly violate human rights can continue to do so unsanctioned and our consumers, wittingly or unwittingly, participate indirectly by buying products made in inhumane conditions.
Government Response Summary
The government explicitly disagrees with the committee's conclusion, stating that trade is not being prioritised over human rights and outlining existing measures to address human rights violations in supply chains.
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40 Conclusion Accepted
The Government could also seek to pursue programmes such as those suggested above [in the Capacity building chapter] through unifying organisations such as the Commonwealth grouping, and the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association. (Paragraph 125) Freeing up movement
Government Response Summary
The government partially agrees, explaining that the FCDO already operates a flexible language learning system aiming for 80% of speaker slots to be filled by C1/C2 language speakers, and develops language capability through existing operational and developmental training.
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43 Conclusion Accepted
Para 135
It is vital to pursue links with Southeast Asian countries on both multilateral and bilateral tracks, respecting different value-systems and cultures.
Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the committee's conclusion on the vital importance of pursuing links with Southeast Asian countries multilaterally and bilaterally, highlighting its established relationship with ASEAN and individual member states.
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45 Conclusion Accepted
Para 138
A proximate objective should be the signing of wide-ranging agreements, like those the UK has with Malaysia and Indonesia, with other ASEAN member countries as appropriate, and where possible upgrading existing strategic partnership agreements to Economic and Financial Dialogues.
Government Response Summary
The government agrees on the importance of deepening engagement and signing wide-ranging agreements, noting existing strategic partnerships with Malaysia and Indonesia, a Digital Economy Agreement with Singapore, ongoing FTA negotiations with Indonesia, and an upgrade to the FTA with Korea.
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46 Conclusion Accepted in Part
Official Development Assistance (ODA) in the region should be targeted on regulatory improvement to strengthen the rule of law and build an effective business environment to encourage both domestic and inward investment. Progress on this should be measured by establishing a model composed of indicators based on World Bank and …
Government Response Summary
The government agrees on targeting ODA for regulatory improvement to strengthen the business environment and states the new ASEAN-UK Economic Integration Programme will promote regulatory excellence. However, it notes ODA also supports other priorities and does not commit to establishing the recommended specific measurement model.
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47 Conclusion Deferred
Para 151
The UK Government should support visits by trade, science and education ministers both inward and outward with Taiwan.
Government Response Summary
The government's response discusses the BBC World Service and its operational independence, which is unrelated to the recommendation for supporting ministerial visits with Taiwan.
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48 Conclusion Deferred
Para 155
Now that the UK is a full member of CPTPP it can and should campaign for Taiwan to be admitted.
Government Response Summary
The government partially agrees but shifts focus to the importance and independence of the BBC World Service and its language services, not addressing campaigning for Taiwan's admission to CPTPP.
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49 Conclusion Rejected
Para 165
[The UK’s “One China” policy is not the same as China’s “One China” principle. Rather than agreeing to China’s claim to Taiwan, the UK, like other liberal democracies, merely acknowledges Beijing’s position.] This policy of acknowledgment needs to be better understood across Whitehall departments to prevent policymakers from misspeaking or …
Government Response Summary
The government explicitly disagrees with the recommendation, stating it does not intend to publish an additional China Strategy, as its approach is already outlined in the Integrated Review Refresh and the former Foreign Secretary’s Mansion House Speech.
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50 Conclusion Acknowledged
Para 166
The UK needs to build on its existing cooperation with Taiwan and with like-minded partner countries to help achieve Taiwan’s peaceful objectives and strengthen its resilience. This is not a threat to the CCP, but a friendship with a fellow democracy.
Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the recommendation to build on existing cooperation with Taiwan and like-minded partners, citing ongoing contact with G7, efforts to promote British firms, and work on supply chain resilience through the Semiconductor Strategy.
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51 Conclusion Rejected
Para 168
The UK Government must identify meaningful activities, and red lines, that enable it to shape and pursue an effective policy of deterrence diplomacy to contribute to 72 Tilting horizons: the Integrated Review and the Indo-Pacific the protection of the right of self-determination of the people of Taiwan. The last two …
Government Response Summary
The government explicitly disagrees with the recommendation, stating it will not publish an additional China Strategy to identify specific deterrence diplomacy activities or red lines for Taiwan, instead relying on its existing Integrated Review Refresh and Mansion House Speech approach to China.
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52 Conclusion Deferred
Para 169
The UK should engage with Taiwanese and other major companies to secure inward investment in the semiconductor and wind industries in the UK to enhance resilience by building an alternative supply source for advanced semiconductors and wind energy components, whether this involves onshoring or friendshoring.
Government Response Summary
The government's response addresses the issue of foreign powers intimidating individuals in the UK, which is unrelated to the recommendation to secure inward investment from Taiwanese companies in semiconductors and wind industries.
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55 Conclusion Acknowledged
Para 191
We welcome the UK-Japan Digital Partnership signed in December 2022, under which the two countries will cooperate more closely in 14 areas.
Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the committee's welcome of the UK-Japan Digital Partnership, highlighting its contributions to app security, a new Semiconductors Partnership via the Hiroshima Accord, and the renewal of the Science and Technology Agreement.
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56 Conclusion Acknowledged
Para 192
We also welcome the signing of the UK-Republic of Korea bilateral framework of cooperation in June 2022 and the July 2022 data adequacy agreement signed between the UK and the Republic of Korea, as well as the February 2022 Digital Economy Agreement between the UK and Singapore.
Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the committee's welcome, highlighting the signing of the UK-ROK Downing Street Accord, the launch of a new Digital Partnership to strengthen cooperation, and the data bridge regulation with the Republic of Korea coming into effect in December 2022.
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59 Conclusion Accepted
The UK should negotiate with Japan an agreement on expanded cooperation on the teaching of English in Japan and Japanese in the UK. (Paragraph 200) India
Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the recommendation, noting that through the Hiroshima Accord, the UK and Japan have already agreed to re-vitalize people-to-people exchanges, including those focused on Japanese and English languages.
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60 Conclusion Accepted in Part
Para 207
[Protecting national interests requires a continuation of the UK’s strong naval presence in the West Indian Ocean sector of the Indo-Pacific region that should be increasingly coordinated with like-minded countries, in particular France, the United States and India, to sustain and strengthen the UK’s key role there.] Tilting horizons: the …
Government Response Summary
The government partially agrees, welcoming Quad members' collaborative efforts and committing to continued bilateral and multilateral work with them, but states that full membership of the Quad is not necessary for the UK to deliver practical cooperation.
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62 Conclusion Deferred
Para 209
[The UK and India have completed seven rounds of negotiations on the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which should boost trade and investment between the two countries.] We are concerned that the pace of negotiations should be maintained so that agreement can be reached as soon as practicable.
Government Response Summary
The government partially agrees but responds by discussing the UK's commitment to strengthening national security protections against the CCP and prioritizing national security, not addressing the pace of UK-India Free Trade Agreement negotiations.
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65 Conclusion Accepted
The UK’s approach to Indonesia should be underpinned by sufficient diplomatic capacity and greater political willingness than it is currently perceived to have. (Paragraph 216) Pacific Islands
Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the conclusion, affirming it has already increased diplomatic capacity in Indonesia, expanded ministerial engagement, and driven progress on the UK-Indonesia Roadmap, including a 30% trade increase and new cooperation agreements.
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66 Conclusion Accepted in Part
Para 255
We encourage repeat visits by the Foreign Secretary to the Pacific Islands at appropriate intervals and recommend that the Government consider attending Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) meetings such as the PIF leaders meeting. We also recommend setting up a UK-Pacific Islands consultative body to widen and deepen cooperation between the …
Government Response Summary
The government agrees to sustained engagement, confirming recent visits by the Foreign Secretary and Minister for Indo-Pacific to Pacific Islands Forum meetings, with a commitment for ministers to remain engaged. However, it explicitly states it is not looking to create a separate consultative body, while affirming bilateral and regional cooperation remains a priority.
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