Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office – in the House of Commons at on 22 October 2024.
Bobby Dean
Liberal Democrat, Carshalton and Wallington
What recent assessment he has made of the level of threat to UK democracy posed by the Chinese Communist party.
Stephen Doughty
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
As a matter of long-standing policy, which the hon. Gentleman will understand, the Government do not comment on the detail of national security matters, but let me be clear: any attempt by any foreign power to threaten or undermine the UK’s democracy will not be tolerated. The National Security Act 2023 brings together vital new measures to protect our national security, which we are committed to as a new Government. I regularly meet my ministerial colleagues, including the Minister for Security, to discuss those matters.
Bobby Dean
Liberal Democrat, Carshalton and Wallington
Thousands of Hongkongers have made my local community their home under the British national overseas visa scheme, but too many of them still face the threat of surveillance, harassment, and intimidation by the Chinese state. Will the Government confirm that they have raised the issue of transnational repression in conversations with the Chinese Government, and made clear that it is a totally unacceptable interference in British democracy?
Stephen Doughty
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The Government will take a consistent long-term and strategic approach to our relations with China, rooted in the UK and global interests, and the Government are deeply committed to supporting all members of the Hong Kong community who have relocated to the UK. I reiterate that any attempts by foreign Governments to coerce, intimidate or harm their critics overseas are unacceptable, and regardless of nationality, freedom of speech and other fundamental rights of all people in the UK are protected under our domestic law.
Blair McDougall
Labour, East Renfrewshire
My Constituency is also home to a new and growing population of Hongkongers who, although they are now in a free country, live in fear of the repression that Bobby Dean described. That is not least because of the reported presence until recently of a secret police station in Glasgow, run by the Chinese Communist party. Will the Minister join me in sending a clear signal to the Chinese state: “hands off Hong Kong Scots”?
Stephen Doughty
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
I have made clear our support to the Hong Kong community in the UK, and we have made clear to Chinese authorities that the existence of undeclared sites in the UK is unacceptable, and their operation must cease. We have been told that they have now closed. The Foreign Secretary was in China on 18 and
Alicia Kearns
Shadow Minister (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Freedom of speech is fundamental to democracy, yet Jimmy Lai’s sham trial is due to resume on
Stephen Doughty
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We call on the Hong Kong authorities to end their politically motivated prosecution and immediately release British national Jimmy Lai. His case remains a high priority for His Majesty’s Government, and UK diplomats attend his court hearing in Hong Kong. The Foreign Secretary recently raised the case with Wang Yi during his visit to Beijing on
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