in WESTMINSTER
in WESTMINSTER – Lords Debate China Vol. 823
Lords Debate China Vol. 823
Question for short debate
Debated : 14th of July, 2022
Moved by: Lord West
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they will take to respond to the long-term security challenges posed by China.
Question for short debate
Debated : 14th of July, 2022
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Lords Debate China Vol. 823
Question for short debate
Debated : 14th of July, 2022
Moved by: Lord West
Moved by: Lord West
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they will take to respond to the long-term security challenges posed by China.
SOURCE
DOWNLOAD
WATCH
[EXCERPT] – Taiwan is a country that I have visited many times since 1972. I have always been impressed by the kindness, generosity and dignity of its people. However, it is a land that feels under constant siege because of the aggressive words and actions of China. Beijing has increased the number and scale of patrols of bombers, fighter jets and surveillance aircraft in Taiwanese airspace and close to Taiwan itself. It has sailed its warships and aircraft carriers through the Taiwan Strait in shows of force. As the noble Viscount, Lord Waverley, alluded to, it has also launched thousands of cyberattacks against Taiwanese government agencies, with new assaults coming every day. The authoritarian Chinese regime hates the freedoms enjoyed by the people of Taiwan. By his aggressive actions, Xi Jinping believes that he can wear down the population and lead them to conclude that unification with China is in their best interests. I must tell your Lordships that he is very much mistaken. I regard it as shameful that the United Kingdom does not recognise Taiwan as a state and has no diplomatic relations with the country. We must ask why. Is it because successive UK Governments have chosen to placate the dictators in Beijing rather than stand up to them? However, despite this, China has continued to sabre-rattle and issue thinly veiled threats to attack Taiwan. Only last Thursday, a Chinese official told a government-controlled newspaper that “reunification” of the two countries was approaching.
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