Source · Select Committees · Foreign Affairs Committee
Eighth Report - Tilting horizons: the Integrated Review and the Indo-Pacific
Foreign Affairs Committee
HC 172
Published 30 August 2023
Recommendations
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 …
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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 …
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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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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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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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Conclusions (7)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.