Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what discussions his Department plans to have with representatives of the Chinese government about innovation, manufacturing or investment in the next year.

Innovation is a key priority for the UK and Chinese Governments and both are committed to strengthening the UK/China trade and investment relationship, including in the manufacturing sector. These issues are regularly discussed at Government to Government meetings, including the annual UK-China Summit, Economic and Financial Dialogue and Joint Economic and Trade Commission which are all due to be held in 2015. The Joint Commission on Science, Technology and Innovation chaired by the UK and Chinese Science Ministers meets every two years and will next take place in 2016.