Security minister Dan Jarvis has declared that the Government will not tolerate "covert and calculated" attempts by China to interfere with the UK's sovereign affairs following an urgent MI5 warning about spying threats targeting Parliament.
MI5 Alert Details Chinese Recruitment Methods
MPs, peers and parliamentary staff received direct warnings from the security service on Tuesday about suspected Chinese espionage operations using recruitment head-hunters. Speaker of the House of Commons Sir Lindsay Hoyle wrote to parliamentarians alerting them to the "espionage alert" issued by MI5, which highlighted how China's Ministry of State Security (MSS) is actively targeting individuals in Westminster.
The security alert specifically named two head-hunters - Amanda Qiu of BR-YR Executive Search and Shirly Shen of Internship Union - who are known to be using LinkedIn profiles to reach out on behalf of China's intelligence services. According to the MI5 warning, their objective is to "collect information and lay the groundwork for long-term relationships" using professional networking sites and recruitment agents acting as cover.
Government Response and Enhanced Security Measures
Addressing the House of Commons, Mr Jarvis stated that MI5 has confirmed China is attempting to "recruit and cultivate" individuals with access to sensitive information about Parliament and the UK Government. These operations are often masked through cover companies and head-hunting firms.
The security minister emphasised that while China remains the UK's third largest trading partner and cooperation continues on shared interests like environmental issues and research, the Government will "always challenge any country that attempts to interfere" with democratic institutions. He confirmed the Home Office stands ready to "disrupt, degrade and protect against the dangerous and unrestrained offensive cyber ecosystem that China has allowed to take hold."
Political Pressure for Stronger Action
The Conservative opposition has pressed the Government to place China in the enhanced tier of the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme (Firs). Former Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith, who co-chairs the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China, argued that the cumulative threats from Beijing "make a mockery" of China not being on the enhanced tier.
Sir Iain listed multiple concerns including threats to democracy, industry, cyber security, universities and MPs, referencing Hong Kongers in the UK facing bounties and illegal police stations. In response, Mr Jarvis indicated the Government had announced comprehensive measures but maintained a "willingness" to go further if required.
The Liberal Democrats welcomed the announcement as a "first step" but described it as "not sufficient" by itself, additionally calling for the Government to reject plans for a new Chinese embassy near Tower Bridge.
