Under the terms of the pact, China will help to identify boat engines made in the country which risk falling into the hands of people smugglers operating in the Channel. It comes after British police previously opened talks with China to request a crackdown on the manufacture and export of small boat engines that are being used by Channel smugglers. It remains to be seen how successful a UK-China deal would be in disrupting the complex supply chain of small boats, which spans several continents. In 2021, France implemented restrictions on the sale of inflatable boats in Channel coastal areas to combat migrant-smuggling operations but it has done little to curb crossings. A majority of the engines used on Channel small boats last year were found to be made in China, according to the Government.