Spy claim prompts call for rethink on UK's China stance

The government is under increasing pressure to take more decisive action against Beijing following the arrest of a parliamentary researcher who is accused of spying for China. Prominent Conservative MPs are advocating for China to be officially categorized as a threat, a stance that has garnered support from certain cabinet members as well.

While attending the G20 summit in India, Rishi Sunak expressed concerns about Beijing’s interference, prompting discussions on this matter. China has vehemently denied the spying allegations, dismissing them as baseless and malicious accusations. Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning called on the UK to cease disseminating false information.

According to the Metropolitan Police, two individuals were arrested in March under the Official Secrets Act. One of them is believed to be a parliamentary researcher specializing in international affairs, with reported connections to several Conservative MPs, including security minister Tom Tugendhat and foreign affairs committee chairwoman Alicia Kearns.

Both arrested individuals have been released on bail, and the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command is leading the investigation into espionage-related offenses.

The arrest of the parliamentary researcher has reignited a debate among Conservative MPs regarding the UK’s stance on China. Some members of the party advocate for classifying Beijing as a threat, a move resisted by government ministers thus far. Prominent Tory backbenchers, including former leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith and MP Tim Loughton, are pushing for stronger government action, citing the deepening threat posed by the Chinese Communist Party under President Xi Jinping. They argue that the CCP’s influence in British institutions must not be underestimated, emphasizing the need to view it as a hostile foreign threat, particularly in light of potential security breaches in Parliament.

Escalate things

Certain cabinet ministers, including Home Secretary Suella Braverman, are believed to favor a stricter approach to rule enforcement.

However, Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch has cautioned against using inflammatory language, emphasizing the need for caution. She expressed that labeling China as a threat could exacerbate the situation. Badenoch pointed out that the UK’s current position, which characterizes China as an “epoch-defining challenge,” aligns with the stance of British allies.

Rishi Sunak, on the other hand, disclosed that he had expressed significant concerns about potential interference in British democracy to China’s Premier Li Qiang. However, he also highlighted the importance of the UK actively engaging in dialogue rather than merely criticizing from the sidelines.

State of concern

Sir Alex Younger, the former head of MI6, has emphasized that China’s approach to intelligence work extends well beyond the conventional understanding in the UK. This approach encompasses efforts to influence individuals in addition to collecting information.

During an interview on Radio 4’s Today programme, he stressed the importance of the UK finding ways to engage with China, including exploring cooperation in areas like climate change. However, he suggested that it might be appropriate to classify China as a “state of concern” under the UK’s recently updated security laws. Such a classification would entail additional reporting requirements for organizations linked to China.

Sir Alex Younger asserted that, at times, it is necessary to directly confront China, as his experience has shown that being overly accommodating may not yield significant progress.

In July, Parliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee issued a long-awaited report, highlighting the government’s sluggish response to security risks posed by Beijing. The report noted that China displayed a strong intention to interfere with the UK government, targeting officials and institutions at various levels in order to influence British political thought and decision-making related to China.