The parliamentary committee urged ministers to institute clear "red" and "green" trade zones, block sensitive data transfers, and bar Chinese connected technology devices from critical national infrastructure. Lawmakers also advised implementing bans on imports linked to forced labour and preparing tariffs against state-backed industrial subsidies. However, the business department rejected the report, defending its approach as a consistent balance of cooperation and challenge.
Key points
Inconsistent government decision-making is actively harming British businesses and escala…: Inconsistent government decision-making is actively harming British businesses and escalating domestic national security risks.
Parliamentary lawmakers recommend blocking Chinese connected technology devices from crit…: Parliamentary lawmakers recommend blocking Chinese connected technology devices from critical national infrastructure and preparing subsidy tariffs.
Successive administrations have failed to convince the public that UK economic resilience…: Successive administrations have failed to convince the public that UK economic resilience is sufficiently protected.
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The government has failed to deliver on its promise to pursue a consistent approach towards China and is instead making up policy "as it goes along", MPs on the Business Committee have said.
In its report, external, the committee said decision-making had been characterised by "inconsistency" and was heightening national security risks.
It called on ministers to block the transfer of sensitive data to China, give businesses clear rules for doing trade with the super power and ban imports made using forced labour.
The business department said it disagreed with the report's conclusion adding: "Our approach to China is consistent - we will co-operate where we can and challenge where we must."
"We have placed our relationship on a more stable, balanced, long-term footing, and based it on a clear-eyed assessment of both the opportunities and the risks.
"Our trade strategy makes clear that we will capitalise on every opportunity to grow our economy while never compromising on our national security, and our increased discussions with China allows us to directly raise concerns where they arise."
Addressing the opening session of his nation's parliament, King Abdullah warned that regional peace remains unattainable while ongoing violations continue against the Palestinian people. The monarch highlighted the worsening conditions across multiple territories, emphasizing that current military actions threaten long-term stability. He pointed directly to territorial expansion efforts as the primary barrier preventing future peace and security for neighboring populations.
Damascus is seeking deeper security integration across the Middle East following the fall of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani emphasized at the Manama Dialogue that the region urgently needs joint deterrence systems to maintain stability. The initiative aligns Syria closer with Riyadh amid mounting regional threats from Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi movement.
Education Minister Edouard Geffray warned that illegal school blockades risk jeopardizing the academic year for hundreds of thousands of pupils across the country. The ongoing unrest stems from youth dissatisfaction regarding learning conditions, high living costs, and university admissions policies. Despite substantial state concessions, major youth unions remain unsatisfied and are coordinating further disruption nationwide.