China and Japan Debate

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Department: Cabinet Office
Monday 2nd February 2026

(1 day, 9 hours ago)

Commons Chamber
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Keir Starmer Portrait The Prime Minister
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That is exactly why we raised the issues of human rights at numerous levels on the visit.

Monica Harding Portrait Monica Harding (Esher and Walton) (LD)
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I noticed that the mention of Japan took the Prime Minister one minute—the last minute—of a 10-minute speech on China and Japan. Japan is not only the largest inward investor into the UK, apart from the EU and US, but a vital liberal democracy in the Indo-Pacific and a key security partner in maintaining regional stability in the face of growing Chinese assertiveness. Given the growing security risks and strategic instability across the region, can the Prime Minister assure the House that engagement with Beijing will not weaken the UK’s alignment with Japan, which is one of our most important democratic partners?

Keir Starmer Portrait The Prime Minister
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Yes, I can assure the hon. Lady of that.