§ Mr. Ben ChapmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the role of the UK/China Forum in creating closer links between the UK and China. [112015]
§ Mr. BattleThe UK-China Forum is a high-level non-Governmental organisation, whose membership is drawn from senior individuals in the worlds of politics, business and industry, the law, education, science and technology, the media and the arts. The purpose is to develop contacts at all levels between Britain and China, with the aim of building stronger links between the two countries.
The first meeting of the Forum, held in London on 21 and 22 October 1999, identified a number of areas where bilateral contacts and joint activities could be strengthened. Preparations are now underway for the second meeting of the Forum, to be held in Beijing in October 2000.