Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment his Department has made of the potential strategic risks to the UK's military base in Brunei of increasing Chinese influence in the region; and what steps his Department is taking to help mitigate potential security challenges arising from this influence.

His Majesty, the Sultan of Brunei, and the Prime Minister recently signed the five-yearly renewal of the Garrison Agreement in December 2024, which signals His Majesty the Sultan's wish to maintain the British presence in Brunei.

This Government will take a consistent, long term and strategic approach to China. We will cooperate where we can. We will compete with and challenge China where we need to, to protect our national security and values.

The UK remains committed to supporting a free and open Indo-Pacific and we continue to work with regional partners to strengthen international legal frameworks and to enhance maritime security, including through capacity building and joint exercises.