My Right Honourable Friend, the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Mark Field), has made the following written Ministerial statement:
I am announcing today the publication of the recent Tailored Review of the Great Britain China Centre (GBCC), an arms-length body of the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO).
The GBCC was established in 1974 and focuses on strengthening the UK-China relationship by "building trust and supporting dialogues between government, judiciary and policy makers on key rule of law and reform issues". Since 1974, it has played an important part in delivering UK expertise on democracy and democratic institutions.
The principle aims of Tailored Reviews are to ensure public bodies remain fit for purpose, are well governed and properly accountable for what they do.
In conducting this Tailored Review, officials engaged with stakeholders in the UK and overseas, including across UK Government, civil society, as well as with GBCC's Board, staff and management.
The review concluded in April 2019.
The review found that "GBCC continues to perform an important function in the UK-China relationship; makes a positive contribution to UK priorities in China; and represents good value for money for the taxpayer". The Review also contains a number of recommendations to strengthen GBCC's governance and its relationship with the FCO.
Copies of the Review will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.
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