Rutland MP Alicia Kearns has with eight other MPs launched a new body that aims to probe the behaviour of the Chinese government and deliver a fresh approach to the UK's relationship with it.

The move follows the counter-terrorism expert speaking in parliament about how China treats its minorities and saying she feels 'uncomfortable' over Chinese company Huawei being involved in delivering the UK 'critical infrastructure' like the 5G mobile phone network.

Mrs Kearns was interviewed about her involvement in the 'China Research Group on BBC Radio 5Live at the weekend.

She told presenter Stephen Nolan she did not trust the figures coming out of China, saying China had a systemic under-reporting of outbreaks as local officials were reluctant to admit the Beijing they had issues.

The MP also noted that authorities had arrested whistleblowers in Wuhan, where the virus originated, for speaking out on the issue.

She also recalled a Chines Government official trying to blame the US Army for the appearance of Covid-19 in China.

The MP also called for an enquiry into the pandemic, including China's role in it, once the crisis has died down. But she had 'no time' for those who sought compensation from China.

The China Research Group said its work will look well beyond the immediate Coronavirus crisis or issues relating to Huawei, and will consider the longer term challenges associated with the rise of China and its industrial and diplomatic policies.

These include:

China's industrial policy. How China's trade policy, state aid and strategic inward investments are shaping the world, not just the UK.

Technology futures. How the development, ownership and regulation of platform technologies that underpin future economic growth and innovation are being influenced.

Chinese foreign policy. The effects of "Belt and Road", China's main objectives, and where these align or clash with ours. How to understand Chinese soft power as well as hard power.

Harborough MP Neil O'Brien said:"Beijing is acting in a highly strategic way to dominate the industries of the future. Our businesses are being asked to compete unfairly with state-backed Chinese firms.

"The Chinese state is making strategic inward investments in the west while banning them at home. Too often our intellectual property is unfairly extracted, and China is increasingly trying to reshape the rules-based world order in its own image."

Mr O'Brien, who is the group's secretary, added: "Even before Coronavirus, it was clear that we need new thinking to cope with a Chinese state which is growing in power, but no longer seems to be on a road to reform."

The new group will aim to inform the debate on the rise of China by holding public seminars, and inviting leading thinkers and politicians from across the west to Westminster