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Delegation Reports
Visit to Westminster by a delegation from China, led by the Vice-Chair of the National People’s Congress
The visit was hosted by the All Party China Group and sponsored by the British Group of the IPU Thursday, 31 March 2011 Delegation Madam Uyunqimg, Leader – Vice-Chair of the National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee On 31 March the All Party Parliamentary China Group co-hosted a visit from Madam Uyunqimg, Vice Chair of the National People’s Congress Standing Committee, to Parliament. Madam Uyunqimg visited Parliament as part of a twenty-strong delegation, including HE Ambassador Liu Xiaoming and several NPC Standing Committee officials. The purpose of the visit was to broaden and strengthen relations between Parliament and the National People’s Congress, and provide an opportunity for the All Party Parliamentary China Group to demonstrate the work it undertakes to support and develop the UK-China bilateral relationship, as well as deepening understanding of the UK Parliament. Meeting with Mark Hendrick MP, Chairman of the All Party Parliamentary China Group Mark Hendrick MP, Chairman of the All Party Parliamentary China Group, formally welcomed Madam Uyunqimg and the delegation to Parliament. Madam Uyunqimg responded by thanking Mark and the APPCG for welcoming her to Parliament. She welcomed the efforts of the group to strengthen and deepen relations between Parliament and the NPC, commenting that it is important to promote the bilateral relationship between the UK and China. Meeting with Chairman of Ways and Means Lindsay Hoyle MP and First Deputy Chairman of Ways and Means Nigel Evans MP Deputy Speaker and Chairman of Ways and Means Lindsay Hoyle MP and Deputy Speaker and First Deputy Chairman of Ways and Means Nigel Evans MP met Madam Uyunqimg and several senior members of the delegation. Discussion then centred on China’s increasingly global economic (and political) prominence in the international arena and the impact of the 12th 5-Year Plan on internal development within China. Meeting with the Lord Speaker, Baroness Hayman The Lord Speaker Baroness Hayman met Madam Uyunqimg and several senior members of the delegation. During their meeting, Madam Uyunqimg commented on the importance of the relationship between the UK and China, stressing the need for continuing close communication, co-operation and high-level exchanges. In particular, she commented on the importance of developing closer economic and trade co-operation, and stressed the benefits of deepening understanding between Parliament and the National People’s Congress. Lunch, hosted by First Deputy Chairman of Ways and Means Nigel Evans MP First Deputy Chairman of Ways and Means Nigel Evans MP hosted a lunch with Madam Uyunqimg and the accompanying delegation. Also present at the lunch were Chairman of the All Party Parliamentary China Group Mark Hendrick MP, Secretary Lord Cotter, Treasurer Emma Reynolds MP and former Foreign Secretary Lord Howe of Aberavon. The Speaker also briefly met Madam Uyunqimg at the lunch and welcomed her to Parliament and wished her a successful visit. Meeting with All Party Parliamentary China Group members Emma Reynolds MP, Treasurer of the All Party Parliamentary China Group, hosted a meeting between the delegation and APPCG members. She initiated the discussion by asking what preparations were being made to implement the recently announced 12th 5-Year Plan. Acting head of the delegation Wang Shucheng, Vice-Chairman of the NPC Financial and Economic Committee, then provided a comprehensive account of the successes of previous 5-Year plans and highlighted areas for development that were the focus of the 12th 5-Year Plan. In particular, he commented that China’s economic growth has led to high levels of inefficient energy consumption and an over-reliance upon coal and gas, and that the environmental impact of this inefficiency will have to be addressed. He said that an important priority of the 12th 5-Year Plan is to develop domestic consumption, thereby helping to ensure the sustainability of China’s economic progression. Indeed, the NPC is concerned with the quality – not the quantity – of growth and is seeking to improve peoples’ livelihoods through increasing disposable income, improving the transportation infrastructure, increasing accessibility and raising standards in the areas of education, health and social care and prevent corruption. Discussion then turned to China’s role in restoring peace to the Korean Peninsula. Li Lianning, Deputy Secretary General of the NPC Standing Committee, stated that dialogue was the only route to reconciliation and that the opportunity to re-start the 6-party talks should not be missed. Military pressure is unhelpful. Li Lianning then commented on reform of the UN Security Council, stating that China has been engaged in the discussion over reform of the Security Council, but cautioned that the reform process is complex and a thorough exchange of views between members is required. In responding to a question on social enterprises and their role in China’s economic growth, Zhang Fusheng, Member of the NPC Foreign Affairs Committee, commented that social enterprises play an increasingly important role in sustainable growth, particularly in the area of environmental sustainability. Parliament and the National People’s Congress Madam Uynuqimg thanked Chairman of Ways and Means Lindsay Hoyle MP and the All Party Parliamentary China Group for an excellent visit, and commented that she hoped to her visit would support continuing dialogue and exchanges between Parliament and the National People’s Congress.
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