Latest news with #UighurMuslim
Spectator
21 hours ago
- Politics
- Spectator
Dutch sound alarm on Chinese super-embassy in London
For years, Steerpike has been warning about the dangers of a new Chinese 'super-embassy' being built in Tower Hamlets. Located on the site of Britain's old Royal Mint, there are plans to build Beijing's largest overseas outpost, sitting opposite the Tower of London. Local residents, many of whom are Uighur Muslim, are viscerally opposed, while the Met has major security concerns about the site becoming a magnet for anti-China protests too. Quelle surprise… Having ignored all domestic opposition to this plan, pig-headed officials might now be willing to advice from candid friends from overseas. This weekend, it was the Americans sounding the alarm in the Sunday Times, amid fears that the building could effectively become a nest of spies in the heart of London. And today, Mr S can bring warnings from across the English Channel. For it seems the Dutch – British allies since the Glorious Revolution of 1688 – are up in arms now too.
The Independent
23-04-2025
- Business
- The Independent
No 10 confident Chinese slave labour ban will not impact clean power 2030 plans
The Government is confident that preventing materials supplied by Chinese slave labour from entering the UK's renewable sector will not slow down the race to clean power by 2030, Downing Street said. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband is expected to introduce an amendment to the Great British Energy Bill to force the new publicly-owned company to stop using parts for solar panels linked to Chinese slave labour. The change will ensure solar panels, wind turbines and batteries must not contain materials suspected of being produced through forced labour. Asked whether there were concerns that this could hamper the Government's plan to provide most of Britain's energy through green sources by 2030, the Prime Minister's official spokesman said: 'No. 'We remain confident as we always have done in our sprint to clean power by 2030.' Ministers had previously failed to back similar measures in the House of Lords, backed by crossbench peer and human rights campaigner Lord Alton of Liverpool. Asked why there had been a change of heart, the PM's spokesman said there had been 'discussions during the passage of the Bill', and insisted the Government had 'always said that we want GB Energy to be sector lead when it comes to this issue'. Luke de Pulford, the executive director of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (Ipac), had earlier warned that the use of slave labour extends throughout the renewable energy sector. He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'Unfortunately, there's a problem right the way throughout the renewables sector with state-imposed forced labour in China. 'They have labour transfer schemes where the Government conscripts, very often ethnic minorities, and forces them to work against their will, and sadly, many such workers are placed within the renewable industry in China.' A large part of the world supply of polysilicon, a critical material in the industry, comes from Xinjiang, the Chinese region where Beijing is suspected of human rights abuses against the Uighur Muslim minority. Mr de Pulford was asked how difficult it would be for the Government to increase its use of renewables without using Chinese slave labour. He told the BBC: 'It's going to require a transition because China has such a dominance of the production of polysilicon and nearly 40% of that comes from Xinjiang and is connected in some way to these labour transfer schemes, so we're going to have to diversify. 'But it's not impossible and companies are, I think, slowly inching towards a better place – we have to find a better way of doing it, that doesn't mean that we have a green transition reliant upon Uighur slavery.' A Department for Energy Security and Net Zero spokesperson said: 'No industry in the UK should rely on forced labour, and through Great British Energy we have a clear plan to build the supply chains needed to support a new era of clean homegrown power, bringing jobs and investment. 'We are working across Government to tackle the issue of forced labour in solar supply chains, and the relaunched solar taskforce is focusing on developing supply chains that are resilient, sustainable and free from forced labour. 'Having listened carefully to the views of MPs and peers, we are considering how we can go further to help ensure Great British Energy is a sector leader in this area and will provide an update shortly.'
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
No 10 confident Chinese slave labour ban will not impact clean power 2030 plans
The Government is confident that preventing materials supplied by Chinese slave labour from entering the UK's renewable sector will not slow down the race to clean power by 2030, Downing Street said. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband is expected to introduce an amendment to the Great British Energy Bill to force the new publicly-owned company to stop using parts for solar panels linked to Chinese slave labour. The change will ensure solar panels, wind turbines and batteries must not contain materials suspected of being produced through forced labour. Asked whether there were concerns that this could hamper the Government's plan to provide most of Britain's energy through green sources by 2030, the Prime Minister's official spokesman said: 'No. 'We remain confident as we always have done in our sprint to clean power by 2030.' Ministers had previously failed to back similar measures in the House of Lords, backed by crossbench peer and human rights campaigner Lord Alton of Liverpool. Asked why there had been a change of heart, the PM's spokesman said there had been 'discussions during the passage of the Bill', and insisted the Government had 'always said that we want GB Energy to be sector lead when it comes to this issue'. Luke de Pulford, the executive director of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (Ipac), had earlier warned that the use of slave labour extends throughout the renewable energy sector. He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'Unfortunately, there's a problem right the way throughout the renewables sector with state-imposed forced labour in China. 'They have labour transfer schemes where the Government conscripts, very often ethnic minorities, and forces them to work against their will, and sadly, many such workers are placed within the renewable industry in China.' A large part of the world supply of polysilicon, a critical material in the industry, comes from Xinjiang, the Chinese region where Beijing is suspected of human rights abuses against the Uighur Muslim minority. Mr de Pulford was asked how difficult it would be for the Government to increase its use of renewables without using Chinese slave labour. He told the BBC: 'It's going to require a transition because China has such a dominance of the production of polysilicon and nearly 40% of that comes from Xinjiang and is connected in some way to these labour transfer schemes, so we're going to have to diversify. 'But it's not impossible and companies are, I think, slowly inching towards a better place – we have to find a better way of doing it, that doesn't mean that we have a green transition reliant upon Uighur slavery.' A Department for Energy Security and Net Zero spokesperson said: 'No industry in the UK should rely on forced labour, and through Great British Energy we have a clear plan to build the supply chains needed to support a new era of clean homegrown power, bringing jobs and investment. 'We are working across Government to tackle the issue of forced labour in solar supply chains, and the relaunched solar taskforce is focusing on developing supply chains that are resilient, sustainable and free from forced labour. 'Having listened carefully to the views of MPs and peers, we are considering how we can go further to help ensure Great British Energy is a sector leader in this area and will provide an update shortly.'
The Independent
13-02-2025
- Business
- The Independent
UK remains ‘robust' with Beijing, Lammy says as he greets Chinese official
The UK will continue to engage in 'robust and constructive' discussions with China, David Lammy said as he welcomed Beijing's foreign affairs minister to London. Wang Yi met with the Foreign Secretary in central London, as the Government seeks a warmer relationship with China in order to drive investment into the UK. Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Pat McFadden, an influential figure within the Government, was said to have joined part of the meeting to discuss economic growth. As Mr Lammy welcomed his counterpart to the Foreign Office, he said the UK and China's relationship should be 'consistent, strategic and in both of our countries' long-term interests'. We will also discuss issues where the UK and China do not always see eye to eye. In some cases the UK does have significant concerns David Lammy, Foreign Secretary He added: 'Since my visit to Beijing, the Prime Minister and President Xi met at the G20, of course, and the Chancellor travelled to China for a wide-ranging visit including an economic and financial dialog and conversations which have brought tangible benefits and progress to both of our countries. 'I look forward to a broad set of discussions today including following up on areas of bilateral economic co-operation as well as important issues for UK national security.' The Government has been warned in recent months of the security risks posed by the Chinese state as ministers seek to strengthen ties. The Ministry of Defence is said to be among the Government departments which have warned of the risks of allowing a Beijing-based firm to participate in building the Green Volt North Sea wind farm, according to The Sun newspaper. Ministers are also being pressured to not allow a new Chinese embassy to be built near the Tower of London, amid concerns it could be used for spying purposes. Human rights groups are, meanwhile, urging ministers to continue to keep up the pressure on Beijing over a crackdown on civil liberties in Hong Kong and the reported abuse of the Uighur Muslim minority in the north-west Xinjiang province. Amnesty International UK's head of campaigns, Felix Jakens, said the 'pursuit of trade must not inhibit frank conversations on human rights' ahead of Mr Wang's visit. Mr Lammy addressed British concerns about China as he met his counterpart, saying: 'We will also discuss issues where the UK and China do not always see eye to eye. In some cases the UK does have significant concerns. 'It is important that we use channels such as this for robust but constructive discussions, as we are both members of the UN Security Council. 'We will be better able to understand each other and each other's perspectives.' Mr McFadden, who has been dubbed the 'real deputy prime minister' because of his influence within Government, is understood to have joined parts of the meeting. He spoke about the Government's plan for change during the gathering, which includes its pledge to stimulate growth in the UK economy, part of which would come from foreign investment.
