My column (on the website) this week looks at China. And, as I said yesterday, the defence sub-committee that I chaired was allowed to release its report to the press on the threats to our defence supply chain. The actual contents are embargoed until 0001 Sunday. It makes interesting reading. As my weekly column says, it's time we re-assess our relationship with China, which is not following what is known as the Rules Based Order. Naturally, this is not easy, as China has such a huge economy and plays a significant role in international trade. We certainly need to be far more aware of what China is up to and face them down. I had to postpone a visit first thing this morning as I had two important reports to wade through. But that did not prevent me from joining a virtual call with Emma Baker and Rebecca Kirk, both from the Environment Agency (EA). The latter used to head up the housing department at Dorset Council (DC) and was immensely helpful to us as we tried to help constituents. I know that DC is missing her enormously. We chatted about the controversial proposal to build an incinerator on Portland and it was explained to me that the EA's remit was strictly to ensure that the plant met all the necessary standards and any conditions imposed on them. I did know that, but it was helpful to have it confirmed. It must be remembered that I do not have a vote on this proposal. With our defence report distributed to the press, I gave several interviews. The Sunday papers, obviously, were the main takers. As we all know, the economy has taken a huge hit over the past year. Today, official figures showed that the UK's economy shrank by a record 9.9 per cent. The contraction in 2020 "was more than twice as much as the previous largest annual fall on record", the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said. Anyhow, better news is that the economy is predicted to avoid a double-dip recession after growth picked up at the end of the year. Interviews with Rishi Sunak were featured on the BBC, ITV and Channel 4 News. He told the BBC: "Today's figures show that last year our economy experienced a significant shock, and also some signs of resilience over winter”. An update on the cause of all this devastation, Covid-19, is encouraging. Figures from the ONS show that levels of Covid are going down in all nations of the UK. The data is more evidence lock-down is controlling the virus, even with the more infectious variants circulating - although the health secretary said there is "still a long way to go". The latest R number, estimated to be between 0.7 and 0.9, also suggested infection numbers are shrinking. This is the first time since July that R has been this low. The NHS is "firmly on track" to offer everyone in the top four priority groups in England a Covid vaccine by Monday, says the head of NHS England. Sir Simon Stevens said it had been "the fastest and largest vaccination campaign in history". And credit must be given where it's due. Well done the Government and the NHS. Now, it's time to start lifting restrictions as we simply cannot go on like this. I'm glad to see that more and more people are now saying this. Meanwhile, over in the US Donald Trump’s lawyers concluded their brief defense of the former president on Friday, calling the second impeachment trial a “politically motivated witch hunt”.