Cutting budget deficits can never be just an exercise in economics.

The foundations of a strong economy don't rest alone on the decisions of Chancellors or the spending programmes of government.

Our first benchmark is to cut the deficit more quickly to safeguard Britain’s credit rating. I know that we are taking a political gamble to set this up as a measure of success. Protecting the credit rating will not be easy The pace of fiscal consolidation will be co-ordinated with monetary policy. And we will protect Britain's credit rating and international reputation.

China is absolutely one of the biggest players in the world and if Britain wants to be connected to the world it has to be connected to China.

Why don't we save and invest in our future and start making the things that millions of Chinese consumers are going to want in the future.

I think the British people have a strong sense of what is fair.

I find China such a fascinating and interesting country. Each time I come back something has changed and it's moved on in leaps and bounds.