China (Economic and Trade Relations)

Oral Answers to Questions — Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 8 June 1988.

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Photo of Mr David Shaw Mr David Shaw , Dover 12:00, 8 June 1988

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what role his Department is playing in promoting economic and trade relations with the People's Republic of China.

Photo of Mr Timothy Eggar Mr Timothy Eggar , Enfield North

We work closely with the Department of Trade and Industry to help British exporters. British companies have won substantial contracts financed at concessional rates under our bilateral aid programme. The claims agreement signed with China in 1987 has opened access for China to the London capital market.

Photo of Mr David Shaw Mr David Shaw , Dover

Is my hon. Friend satisfied that British business men are doing enough in this respect and taking advantage of all the opportunities that his Department is opening up? Does he think that if more was done by British business men the economies and jobs of both countries would benefit?

Photo of Mr Timothy Eggar Mr Timothy Eggar , Enfield North

We welcome the considerable commitment that has been made by British business. More than 2,500 British business men visited our posts in China in 1986. There are more than 20 companies with permanent representative offices and we have no fewer than 11 United Kingdom-based commercial staff in Shanghai and Beijing.

Photo of Chris Mullin Chris Mullin , Sunderland South

Does the Minister have any plans for raising with the Chinese Government the issue of human rights in that country; or ant I being naive?

Photo of Mr Timothy Eggar Mr Timothy Eggar , Enfield North

I would not want to comment on the second part of the hon. Gentleman's question, but human rights and other issues are discussed when my right hon. and learned Friend meets representatives of the Chinese Government.

Photo of Mr Roger King Mr Roger King , Birmingham, Northfield

Does my hon. Friend agree that we are seeing in China a degree of reform in its economic policies by the concentration of economic growth on a growing number of small business men? Is not that factor very much to the fore in this country and can we not export some of our economic reforms under Thatcherism to China?

Photo of Mr Timothy Eggar Mr Timothy Eggar , Enfield North

My hon. Friend is absolutely right. There has been a considerable resurgence in economic activity in China and it is largely due to the liberalisation reforms that have been introduced by that Government. The economic policies propounded by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister have been followed not only in China, but throughout the world.