China: Human Rights and UK National Security

Lord Walney Excerpts

Monday 2nd February 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)]

The noble Lord raises a fascinating question about the changing world order and geopolitics and geoeconomics. I think he makes a very strong point, as Mr Carney did when he visited China very recently, about the importance of us engaging fully and extensively with middle powers. That is an approach with which this Government agree. I think that he will see the fruits of that as this Parliament continues, but it is a really important point to consider.

[Lord Walney (CB)]

My Lords, do the Government believe the Chinese Government’s assertion that they no longer operate overseas police stations in the United Kingdom? Was this discussed on the visit, and what does the Minister think the new, supersized Chinese embassy will do to that threat?

[Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)]

I would encourage the noble Lord to consider the comments that I am sure my right honourable friend the Prime Minister is making at the other end of this building as to the contents of the discussions that he had in China. It is obviously for him to speak first on them, but we are very alive to the risks and, particularly, the threats placed and the harassment of people in this country. It is unacceptable; we will not stand for it, and we do raise it at every opportunity.