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China: Overseas Companies

Asked by Lee AndersonReform UKForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled Answered 13 January 2025UIN 21372

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to enhance the vetting and monitoring processes of Chinese businesses operating in the UK.

Answered by Catherine West

As an open economy, the Government welcomes foreign trade and investment where it supports growth and jobs in the UK, meets our stringent legal and regulatory requirements, and does not compromise our national security. Legislation including the country-agnostic National Security and Investment (NSI) Act gives the Government powers to scrutinise and potentially intervene in acquisitions of control over entities and assets in or linked to the UK that may pose national security risks.

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