The Government agrees with the Committee. The UK is actively exploring options for new approaches to capacity building and soft power projection through new initiatives. We are exploring the feasibility of establishing a new UK training offer for partner governments across the Indo-Pacific in a range of areas. The UK will continue to offer bilateral technical assistance to partner countries across the Indo-Pacific, including in areas where the UK has particular expertise such as governance and the rule of law. For example, in partnership with ASEAN, the UK has launched the new ASEAN-UK Economic Integration Programme, delivered through UK Official Development Assistance, to promote regulatory excellence, open trade and financial services development in Southeast Asia. This programme will support ASEAN to strengthen the rule of law and build an effective business environment to encourage both domestic and inward investment, by working with member states to adopt international best practices in these areas. This support will lead to more transparent and predictable regulatory regimes, which will in turn encourage both domestic and inward investment. In addition, the UK works to foster strong people-to-people connections through cultural exchanges and education, including through the British Council.