Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of (a) the influence of the People's Republic of China in the Indian Ocean and (b) the effect of such influence on British interests. [72065]

Alistair Burt MP; Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State: Our assessment is that China is developing its economic and political relations with countries surrounding the Indian ocean, including through investments and infrastructure projects. The 2010 White Paper on ‘China's National Defence’ stated that the Chinese Navy had been developing its capabilities to conduct operations in distant waters.

It is important for UK interests that China uses its growing economic, political and military weight in a responsible manner, in line with international norms and global interests. For example, we welcome China's constructive support for multilateral anti-piracy efforts in the Gulf of Aden. We continue to step up our engagement with China through political, diplomatic and military channels on the full range of foreign and security policy issues. We expect, for example, to hold an official-level dialogue with China on South Asia issues soon.