Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to tackle Chinese political dominance over smaller and poorer countries.

The UK recognises China as a source of aid, trade and investment for many countries. However, we also recognise the potential risks associated with China's global economic and political influence and take a nuanced approach that distinguishes carefully between the threats and opportunities that China poses to UK foreign policy interests. It is precisely because we recognise China's role in the world that we expect China to live up to its international obligations and international responsibilities and we will hold China to account when it does not.

Sovereign countries have the right to make their own decisions on investments and their own development. We want to help developing countries make these long-term decisions on the basis of the best information, and according to best practice. We also want to ensure developing countries have a choice of high quality, fair financing options.