Cai Qi, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) official described as Xi Jinping’s top lieutenant, has been thrust into the spotlight after being named as the suspected ringleader of an alleged Westminster spy ring. As the fifth-ranking member of the Politburo Standing Committee, Cai serves as Xi’s de facto chief of staff and gatekeeper, wielding influence beyond his official title.
Unlike many top CCP officials, Cai stands out for his distinctive appearance and background. He avoids black hair dye, speaks with a heavy Fujian accent, and has risen rapidly through the ranks, signalling deep trust from Xi. The two have worked together for over two decades, including in the coastal provinces of Fujian and Zhejiang. Cai also sits on the National Security Commission, a secretive body chaired by Xi.
The allegations against Cai emerged from a witness statement by Deputy National Security Adviser Matthew Collins, released by the UK government. The statement claims Cai was suspected of receiving intelligence about British politics from Christopher Cash, a parliamentary researcher, via Christopher Berry, a teacher who lived in China. Cash and Berry were due to stand trial for spying, but the case was dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service on 15 September, sparking controversy.
Collins’ statement alleges that Cai met Berry in July 2022. Berry is said to have told Cash about the meeting, to which Cash replied: “You’re in spy territory now.” Berry denies ever meeting Cai, stating his reports were provided to a Chinese company for trading links and contained no classified information. Cash maintains the allegations are taken out of context and that he has been denied a public trial to prove his innocence.
A Chinese embassy spokesperson dismissed the allegations as “sheer fabrications”. Several China experts expressed scepticism that a senior figure like Cai would meet someone as junior as Berry, noting it is rare for Politburo Standing Committee members to meet foreigners. Cai’s past as an outspoken advocate for transparent governance, including complaints about Facebook being blocked in China, adds further intrigue to his current role.
