Why our reliance on Chinese manufacturing must end following pandemic

I WAS not surprised at the content of the piece written by Wakefield MP Imran Ahmad Khan (The Yorkshire Post, 
May 1) regarding the Chinese supply line, and China’s lack of responsibility for the present pandemic. It seems to matter not to the Chinese authorities how they impose economic dominance over world trade – nor how they amass their fortune.

The time is long overdue 
for the UK to bring manufacturing back to our shores and to use companies here to make components, clothing etc, and to stop allowing the export of technology via a surreptitious takeover of British businesses.

I remember a time, 30 years ago, when in order to export to China (including Hong Kong), it was necessary for UK and European companies to obtain accreditation to the “China Quality Licensing Agreement”. Effectively exporting to China was all but impossible without a licence.

The only way China will understand this is for the manufacturing of goods to be brought back to the UK. We could make a start by cancelling any arrangement that we have either made, or are about to agree to, with Huawei on the 5G communication project.

Editor’s note: first and foremost - and rarely have I written down these words with more sincerity - I hope this finds you well.

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Sincerely. Thank you.

James Mitchinson

Editor