UK Minister for the Indo-Pacific will begin a
multi-stop visit to China and Hong Kong on Friday to further and
protect British interests.
The Minister will be visiting Beijing and Hong Kong, as well as
Shanghai and Tianjin - holding meetings with the authorities in
Beijing and Hong Kong, as well as engagements with a cross
section of society including UK businesses, academics,
journalists and civil society.
will be raising topics
across the breadth of the UK-China relationship, including the
importance of cooperation on global issues such as ending
Russia's invasion of Ukraine, helping to restore stability in the
Middle East and tackling climate change. China is the world's
largest investor in sustainable energy and the largest emitter of
carbon, demonstrating the importance of engaging with them on
such topics.
The Minister will also raise areas of concern, including human
rights in Xinjiang and Tibet, and the erosion of rights and
freedoms in Hong Kong.
Minister for the Indo-Pacific said:
We need China to play a constructive role in the biggest foreign
policy issues of the day like Russia's invasion of Ukraine and
the situation in the Middle East.
In Hong Kong, I will raise concerns on the passage and
implementation of national security laws as well as discussing
our important trade links. In Beijing I will be clear about our
right to act when China breaks its international commitments or
violates human rights.
I will also look to strengthen UK-China cooperation on issues
across the world that affect us all – from improving AI safety to
tackling climate change.
It is right we have discussions face to face and raise these
issues directly with the centre of the Chinese system, making
clear the UK's position with the decision-makers in Beijing and
Hong Kong.
Notes to editors
- The UK takes a multifaceted approach to China over three
pillars, which are set out in the Integrated Review
Refresh:
- First, to protect national security whenever the Chinese
Communist Party poses a threat to UK people or
prosperity;
- Second, to align cooperation with friends and allies in the
Indo-Pacific and across the world to uphold international
law;
- And third, to engage directly with China to promote stable
relations.
- Robust action has been taken to protect UK interests and
values, including creating new powers to block any Chinese
investment that risks national security, and the new powers in
the National Security Act will help ensure that the UK remains
the hardest operating environment for malign activity.
