Question to the Department for International Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what steps the Government is taking to help companies in the UK to take advantage of the recent decision by the Chinese Government to introduce it's foreign investment law.

We welcome the direction and messages in China’s Foreign Investment Law and look forward to seeing robust regulations giving improved protection for foreign IP, technology and access to procurement.

The Government, through our overseas network, HM Trade Commissioner, and through Ministerial visits, works actively to engage with China’s central and regional governments and businesses, to support trade and reduce barriers for UK companies looking to export to and invest in China,.

For example, in the past year we have secured market access improvements benefitting a range of UK industries, including the removal of the BSE ban on British beef, raising foreign equity caps in petrol stations and improved access for British dairy. Additionally, at the China International Import Exposition (CIIE) in Shanghai in November 2018, the UK showcased the best in British innovation, gaining significant media attention in China. UK firms secured more than £2 billion of commercial deals across a range of sectors including creative industries, healthcare, education, energy, mining and aviation.