UK must stop ‘dragging heels’ over China threat, intelligence watchdog warns
The government must stop “dragging its feet” on whether to add China to the advanced tier of the threat regime, the parliamentary intelligence watchdog has warned.
The Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC), made up of senior lawmakers and colleagues, flagged several areas of the National Security Act where there were “unresolved issues” in its annual report.
The Foreign Influence Registration Scheme (FIRS) went into effect in July and requires anyone conducting “political influence activities” on behalf of a foreign power to register with the government or face prosecution.
Russia and Iran are in the advanced tier, which requires anyone working for these states to declare any activity, not just political work.
The addition of China means people working in the UK under Beijing’s instructions must register with the government.
“Given the scale of the threat posed by China (as defined in the committee’s 2023 China Report) and its intervention operations in particular, we are concerned to see the government abide by this decision,” the ISC wrote.
The report acknowledges that “skills” are needed to “balance the tension between security and prosperity.”
But he said he had previously found the government “reluctant to prioritize security considerations” when it came to China.
It comes amid ongoing unrest following the collapse of a spy case in China and warnings from MI5 about the threat posed by the communist state to Britain’s national security, adding to the difficulties for the government as it seeks to ease tensions with Beijing.
Sir Keir plans to travel to China in January or February next year for his first bilateral visit, as the UK seeks to strengthen economic and diplomatic relations with the state.
The report stated: “The government should quickly reach a decision on whether to add China to the enhanced tier of FIRS.
“This committee must be provided with a full explanation of how this decision was made, including the factors taken into account, to ensure that security concerns are not overlooked in favor of economic concerns.”
Security minister Dan Jarvis recently said the decision was being “under very close scrutiny” when asked why China was not placed at the top.
“The Government continues to keep this under very close scrutiny and I hope we will have more to say about it in due course,” he told the House of Commons in early December.
The ISC said its meeting with Sir Keir Starmer in July, the first meeting with a prime minister in more than 10 years, marked a “very positive reset” in the relationship between the committee and the government.
The ISC also reiterated its long-standing call for reform of the Official Secrets Act.
A government spokesman said: “National security is this government’s first duty. We value the ISC’s independent oversight and the rigor of its investigations.”
“This report underlines the vital and complex work our agencies undertake on a daily basis to protect the UK.
“This government is taking a coherent, long-term and strategic approach to managing the UK’s relationship with China, based on UK and global interests.
“We will cooperate where we can and challenge where we must.”
