Chinese Embassy

Kieran Mullan Excerpts

Tuesday 20th January 2026 Commons Chamber

[Dan Jarvis]

It is not. It is about the importance of engaging confidently and pragmatically, in a way that will enable us to take opportunities where they present themselves and where it is in our national security. As I made clear in my earlier remarks, that is not just about economic co-operation; there are other areas where we need to co-operate with China. I referenced three in my opening comments: organised immigration crime, serious organised crime and narcotics trafficking. Those are important areas where we need to work with China. Ultimately, the most important thing is that we safeguard our national security. That is why we have worked incredibly hard to look carefully at the detail of this proposal and to make sure we have the right mitigations in place.

[Dr Kieran Mullan (Bexhill and Battle) (Con)]

Will the Minister explain how, by giving China the embassy it wants, the Government are demonstrating that they are holding China responsible for—in his words—“unacceptable behaviour” that they will not stand for?

[Dan Jarvis]

In part, it is because of the reduction in the diplomatic estate from seven sites to one.