§ Mr. Proctorasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the reply to the hon. Member for Basildon given by the hon. Member for 356W Edinburgh, Pentlands (Mr. Rifkind) on 5 July, Official Report, c. 37, on which international issues the United Kingdom and the People's Republic of China share the same fundamental outlook; in which ways Anglo-Chinese relations have developed substantially during the last few years; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RifkindBritain and China both believe that a fundamental principle of international relations should be non-interference in the affairs of other States. We therefore have similar views on such international issues as the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan and the Vietnamese occupation of Cambodia.
Our official exchanges with China have increased greatly over the last few years. Moreover the British Council, the Royal Society, the Great Britain—China Centre and other organisations have established many links in the fields of education, culture, science and technology. There are now some 800 Chinese students and researchers in Britain. Trade has also increased; British exports rose from £62 million in 1977 to £213 million in 1979. Despite setbacks recently because of China's current economic retrenchment, our trade should soon again start to grow rapidly. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister hopes to visit China in September.