China: Human Rights and Sanctions

Tony Vaughan Excerpts
Monday 28th October 2024

(3 days, 12 hours ago)

Commons Chamber
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David Lammy Portrait Mr Lammy
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As I have said, I raised the issue of the national security law and our long-standing concerns about Hong Kong—concerns that will not go away, because of the UK’s unique relationship with that part of the world and many businesses and communities there. That was the way in which I raised those issues, and I think our concerns were understood.

Tony Vaughan Portrait Tony Vaughan (Folkestone and Hythe) (Lab)
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I welcome the Foreign Secretary’s confirmation that he will meet the family of Jimmy Lai, but does he agree that as China is the world’s largest emitter, we need to engage with China pragmatically as we work to tackle the climate crisis?

David Lammy Portrait Mr Lammy
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Yes. There is no way to reduce global temperatures without working with China to achieve that, so that was a big topic of discussion between our two countries in our meeting. As I said, I will go back, because it is important that we engage with China, just as our allies do. We cannot influence China if we step back and do not go there at all; that makes no sense.