British intelligence issues alert on Chinese spies

This byline contacted Qiu and Shen for comment but did not receive a response before publication.

None of these individuals have significant profiles outside of LinkedIn, the social media site typically used for business and recruiting.

The letter of the Speaker of the Parliament to the MPs is as follows: London reported. Telegram Although the parliamentary spokesperson confirmed that the notification was sent to MPs, it was not made public.

“We provide advice to members and staff to ensure they are aware of potential risks, but we cannot comment on our security processes, measures or recommendations,” the spokesman said.

MI5 said in its written advice that Chinese spies were targeting politicians and trying to groom parliamentary staff, economists, think tank staff, consultants and others with access to government.

It was stated that MSS uses legitimate and fake recruitment companies and may assign a target to write a report in exchange for payment.

Loading

In the circular also published by MSS, it was stated that “MSS offers large financial incentives for seemingly low-level information in order to establish a relationship and encourage the target to access sensitive information that is not publicly available.” Telegram.

Australian politicians have also been warned that spies are targeting MPs and staff. ASIO boss Mike Burgess revealed a former politician was ‘sold out’ last year country by aiding a foreign security service.

The Chinese embassy in London told British media that the spying allegations were “completely fabricated” and would damage relations, but the government strengthened the warnings after the MI5 document was leaked to the media.

Security Secretary Dan Jarvis announced a £170 million ($343 million) plan to protect state businesses from cyber attacks, naming China a cause for concern and confirming the MI5 warning.

‘Let me be clear: this activity involves a covert and calculated attempt by a foreign power to interfere in our sovereign affairs for its own interests, and this government will not tolerate it.’

Secretary of State for Security Dan Jarvis

“Our intelligence agencies have warned that China is seeking to recruit and train individuals with access to sensitive information about Parliament and the UK government,” he told the House of Commons.

“I urge all parliamentarians and their staff to be mindful that China has a low threshold for what information is valuable and will collect individual pieces of information to build a broader picture.

“Let me be clear: This activity involves a covert and calculated attempt by a foreign power to interfere in our sovereign affairs for the sake of its own interests, and this government will not tolerate it.”

Loading

Attacks carried out by Russian agencies have made headlines in Britain, including an arson at a warehouse sending aid to Ukraine, but concerns about China have deepened following an attempt to prosecute two British men accused of collecting secrets for Beijing.

Prosecutors debated whether to pursue charges against two men, Christopher Cash and Christopher Berry, but dropped the charges in September due to doubts about the strength of the case.

One of the key issues in the case was that the two men were accused of passing information “useful to the enemy,” but public officials were not willing to name China a national security threat.

Cash was a researcher on the China Research Group set up by British MPs. He and Berry denied the charges against them and welcomed the decision to drop the charges.

Starmer met with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro last year, the first leader-level meeting between the two countries in six years, and said at the time that he wanted a relationship that would “avoid surprises” as much as possible.

In one example of the friction between the two countries, Starmer and his ministers are slowly moving ahead with China’s plans to build a major new embassy near the Tower of London.

Security experts have warned that the Royal Mint Court building could be used for espionage purposes due to its location close to government offices. It will be one of the largest embassies in Europe with an area of ​​approximately 20,000 square meters.

Take notes directly from our foreign country reporters about things that make headlines around the world. Sign up for our weekly What’s on in the World Newsletter.