Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of the use of the Shuiqiao landing barge by the Chinese navy.

The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy’s Shuiqiao landing barge is a significant development in China’s amphibious power projection capability. As laid out in last year’s Strategic Defence Review, the UK recognises China's rapid military modernisation and its use of new capabilities to attempt to establish regional dominance. Growing Chinese assertiveness is a key driver of regional and global instability.

Defence can contribute to wider Government efforts to defend and shape international rules and norms in the region through strengthening regional partners and protecting freedom of navigation. In regional disputes, we continue to encourage all parties to settle their disputes peacefully through existing legal mechanisms.