UK accuses China of attempting to 'headhunt' key British figures

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
14 Sep 2023 23:20

The British government says that Beijing is working to recruit politicians and senior officials in the military industry.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak giving a speech during the G20 summit held in Bali, Indonesia, in November 2022 (AFP)

The British UK government issued a warning on Thursday regarding alleged efforts by Chinese intelligence services to recruit high-ranking British politicians in a bid to enhance their influence in London.

Tensions between China and Western nations have escalated in recent years. In July 2022, the heads of MI5 and the FBI issued a joint statement characterizing Beijing as "the most significant long-term threat."

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in November 2022 also claimed that China is a systemic threat to UK values and the "most state-based threat to our economic security."

Britain's Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) published a report in July on China, in which it labeled Beijing as the "greatest risk to the UK," but it added that the country lacked the "resources, expertise or knowledge" to tackle this "threat."

London recognizes that "Chinese recruitment schemes have tried to headhunt British and allied nationals in key positions and with sensitive knowledge and experience, including from government, military, industry, and wider society," the UK government stated in response to the report.

"China oversteps the boundary and crosses the line from exerting influence - a legitimate course of action - into interference, in the pursuit of its interests and values at the expense of those of the UK," it continued.

The statement comes shortly after the Sunday Times reported that a researcher employed by the UK House of Commons and another individual were arrested in March under suspicion of espionage for China. The Metropolitan Police Service confirmed the arrests of a man in his 30s in Oxfordshire and a man in his 20s in Edinburgh under the Official Secrets Act.

Denouncing the allegations, Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning asserted on Monday in a press briefing that "the so-called claim that China is conducting espionage activities against the UK is pure fabrication," emphasizing that "China resolutely opposes this".

Mao Ning used the press conference as an opportunity to urge the United Kingdom to stop "spreading disinformation" and "anti-China political manipulation" which she described as "malicious slander".

Beijing has consistently denied allegations of espionage, accusing the West of conducting a global smear campaign and urging them to discard their "Cold War mentality."