What’s “strategic” or “consistent” about authorising the attendance of the UK’s Air Vice-Marshall at a recent reception at the Chinese Embassy to celebrate the 97th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Liberation Army? Britain’s best interests depend on showing solidarity with the persecuted citizens of China – with imprisoned democracy advocates in Hong Kong, Tibetans experiencing crimes against humanity, Uyghurs suffering genocide, Taiwanese and other regional neighbours facing daily threats and intimidation. Nothing much to celebrate in the CCP’s record.

Lord Coaker, the Ministry of Defence, has provided the following answer to your written parliamentary question (HL479):

Question by Lord Alton of Liverpool:
To ask His Majesty’s Government what account was taken of the recent hack of the Electoral Commission and the alleged hack of the Ministry of Defence by China, and its aggressive military action in the South China Sea, before authorising the attendance of the UK’s Air Vice-Marshall at a recent reception at the Chinese Embassy to celebrate the 97th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Liberation Army. (HL479)

Tabled on: 30 July 2024

Answer:
Lord Coaker:

The Government is taking a consistent, long term and strategic approach to managing the UK’s relations with China, rooted in UK and global interests, by co-operating where we can as fellow permanent members of the UN Security Council. But we will also compete where we have different interests and challenge where we must, to protect our national security and values.

The bilateral defence relationship with the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) plays an important role in this, including recent senior military attendance at the PLA Anniversary Reception in London, where UK attendance was agreed in June 2024.

Date and time of answer: 25 Sep 2024 at 11:52.