Question for Department for Business and Trade
UIN HL10125, tabled on 13 September 2023
Question
Lord Alton of Liverpool
Crossbench
To ask His Majesty’s Government, with reference to the most recent visit by Lord Johnson of Lainston to the People’s Republic of China, who he met; what he discussed; what response he received to any representations he may have made on the government of China’s treatment of the Uyghur minority, threats to Taiwan, and imprisonment of pro-democracy advocates and lawmakers in Hong Kong, including the British citizen Jimmy Lai.
Answer
Lord Johnson of Lainston
Conservative
Answered on
27 September 2023
In China, I met businesses and investors. Whilst attending the China International Fair for Trade in Services, I was briefly introduced to the Minister of Commerce and the Party Secretary of Beijing. I expressed support for our trade and investment relationship, where it is consistent with our values and national security.
On 30 August, The Foreign Secretary visited China meeting senior government figures. He emphasised the UK’s position on the mass incarceration of the Uyghur people in Xinjiang, the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, and raised rights and freedoms in Hong Kong, including the case of Jimmy Lai.