To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the role of Chinese military-linked companies linked to escalated military activities in the Taiwan Strait and South China Sea; and whether they plan to restrict UK investments in such companies and, if so, what criteria would be used to designate them.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Japan-UK Reciprocal Access Agreement, signed on 11 January 2023, whether he plans to deploy armed forces to the South China Sea in proximity to Taiwan.
Daniel Kawczynski: I was aware that my hon. Friend was one of those esteemed colleagues to have been sanctioned already by the Chinese Communist regime, and it would be an honour to serve alongside him with that accolade. Yes, of course I will be coming on to Taiwan. He anticipated that key issue, which I intend to raise. Some of us Conservative MPs enjoy regular meetings with the Taiwanese ambassador at his embassy, where we listen to Taiwan’s perspective, and I appreciate doing that.
Lord Tunnicliffe, Labour, Life peer Lords, To ask Her Majesty’s Government what impact, if any, rising tensions between China and Taiwan have had on the route for the carrier strike group.