Afghanistan

Andrew Murrison Excerpts
Thursday 8th July 2021

(3 years, 4 months ago)

Commons Chamber
Read Full debate Read Hansard Text Watch Debate Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Andrew Murrison Portrait Dr Andrew Murrison (South West Wiltshire) (Con) [V]
- Hansard - -

Given the high likelihood that China will now exploit the opportunity presented by the US departure by extending the belt and road initiative, buying off the Taliban and muting their opposition to abuses in Xinjiang, what approach will my right hon. Friend take, with our allies, to the resulting greatly strengthened Beijing-Tehran axis, with all its grisly potential impact on security, prosperity and human rights?

Boris Johnson Portrait The Prime Minister
- View Speech - Hansard - - - Excerpts

The Chinese are not as yet a very major player in Afghanistan, but my right hon. Friend is absolutely right: it is vital that the people of Afghanistan should determine their own future.