China (Hansard, 17 July 2003)

§ Gregory Barker
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the value of British-owned manufacturing was in China in 2002. [126435]

§ Mr. Mike O'Brien
The latest available UK outward Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) stock for manufacturing in Mainland China from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) is £938 million for the end of 2001.
506W
The equivalent FDI stock figure for Hong Kong (which is not included in the Mainland China stock) is £697 million for the end of 2001.

§ Gregory Barker
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent representations she has received regarding British trade with China. [126580]

§ Mr. Mike O'Brien
Trade Partners UK regularly receives requests for advice and information from companies about China.
We also regularly receive ministerial and official Chinese trade delegations with whom we explore our bilateral trade relations. I will be heading a high-powered business delegation to Beijing and Shanghai from 20 to 22 July.

§ Gregory Barker
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what tariffs or other import and export levies are enforced(a) by Britain on Chinese goods and (b) by China on British goods. [126436]

§ Mr. Mike O'Brien
Under the Common Customs Tariff of the European Communities the range of import duties imposed on goods entering into the UK varies from 0 per cent. to 26 per cent. on non-agricultural products and up to 74.9 per cent. on agricultural products. There are also specific (non ad valorem) duties on some agricultural products. These rates apply to China except when it benefits under the Generalised System of Preferences. A list of the specific rates is available at the European Community's website www.europa.eu.int/comm/taxation_customs/databases/database.htm.
The UK's implementation of the European Community's external trade policy includes trade defence measures taken against China. A complete listing of the European Community's anti-dumping and anti-subsidy measures against China is available from the European Community's website at www.europa.eu.int/comm/trade/policy/dumping/stats.htm.
With regard to China's tariffs and levies on UK goods, China is a member of the World Trade Organisation and as such treats UK imports on a Most Favoured Nation (MFN) basis. Import duties levied on British goods vary from 0 per cent. to 32 per cent. and, exceptionally, up to 52.4 per cent. on crude oil and farm product based oils. Substantial tariff cuts are being made as part of China's WTO accession agreement. Average tariffs now stand at 11 per cent., down from 12.2 per cent. last year and 15.3 per cent. at the time of accession.