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Written question asked by Catherine West (Labour) on Thursday, 26 January 2017, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 30 January 2017. It was answered by Lord Sharma (Conservative) on Thursday, 2 February 2017 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Disputed Territories: South China Sea

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the level of military presence on the Paracel Islands in the South China Sea; and what recent representations he has made to his Chinese counterpart of the security situation on those islands.

Answer

The UK is concerned about any actions in the South China Sea which might raise tensions or pose a risk to freedom of navigation and regional stability. As the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my Rt Hon. Friend the Member for Uxbridge and South Ruislip (Boris Johnson), made clear in a speech on 18 January, we oppose the militarisation of the South China Sea.

The Foreign Secretary raised the South China Sea with Chinese State Councillor Yang Jiechi during the UK-China Strategic Dialogue in London on 20 December. He noted the importance of abiding by international law in the South China Sea and refraining from activities which could raise tensions.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
61879
Session
2016-17
Subjects
Armed forces China Disputed territories South China Sea
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk