Labor is under pressure to toughen its stance on China following a scandal involving an alleged spy who was friends with Prince Andrew.
The Government was asked on Monday to add the long-delayed communist superpower to a list of countries that pose the greatest national security risk to the UK.
Ministers say even MI5 believes China should be placed in the “enhanced” stage of the Foreign Influence Register (FIRS), which forces people working for foreign powers to declare lobbying activities. I was told.
But there are concerns that major British companies are seeking to block the move on the grounds that it would damage Chinese investment, and Labor could resist as Sir Keir Starmer seeks to improve relations with China. There is sex.
Former Security Minister Tom Tugendhat welcomed the belated introduction of FIRS next year, telling the House of Commons: “The real question was whether it was worth introducing FIRS, and the advice from MI5 was very clear: If China is not at a strengthened stage, then it is not worth introducing FIRS.” ”
“Will China enter that stage?” he asked.
His Labor successor, Dan Jarvis, said: “We are working with colleagues across the government to look very carefully and very closely at how this plan can best be put together. ” he answered.
Former Conservative Party leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith, who secured an urgent inquiry into the scope of China’s operations in the UK, also called for China to be placed on the enhanced radar immediately.
Chinese spy suspect Yang Tengbo and former Prime Minister Theresa May
Jan and former Conservative Prime Minister David Cameron and wife Samantha
President Xi Jinping. MI5 believes China should be placed in the ‘enhanced’ tier of the Foreign Influence Register System (FIRS)
“Will the government commit to putting China on the enhanced list of foreign influence registers, and will it do so now?” he asked. No more delays. No need to delay. ”
China hawk leader Sir Ian told the House of Commons that the suspected spy with close ties to the Duke of York – referred to in court as H6 but yesterday named as Yang Tengbo – was “in reality not a lone wolf”. No,” he said.
The businessman is said to be one of “some 40,000 members” of China’s intelligence and propaganda arm, the United Front Works Department (UFWD), many of whom “have access to all sectors of the British economy. They infiltrated, conducted espionage, stole intellectual property, and exerted influence.” And it shapes our institutions.
In the Inter-Parliamentary Union report on China, which he chairs, Sir Ian said Mr Yang was “well known” as a member of the UFWD and “already well known to others deep within the political system.” It was found that the
He asked: “Why was someone known to the security forces allowed to get so close to a member of the royal family without proper supervision?”
Today, Mr Yang Tembo was named as a Chinese businessman with ties to Prince Andrew.
MI5 Director Ken McCallum. MI5 believes China should be placed in the reinforcement layer to force lobbying declarations from people working for foreign powers
Security Minister Jarvis revealed that the regulations governing FIRS will be published in the new year and the scheme is expected to be operational by the summer.
“Based on robust security and intelligence analysis, work is underway to identify which foreign powers to place in reinforcement tiers, and the Home Secretary and I will begin to develop the Government’s approach to the use of reinforcement tiers in due course. ‘Of course,’ he said.
Labor has also come under fire for its new approach to dealing with China, with Sir Keir last month becoming the first prime minister to meet face-to-face with President Xi Jinping since 2018.
Chris Phillip, the shadow home secretary, called on the security minister to “review the wisdom of the government’s approach to China” in light of the spying revelations.
“Given what we have learned and what we know, this very close relationship that the prime minister is clearly trying to engage in may not be wise, and I think that a few weeks ago at the G20, the prime minister asked President Xi “I think the rather flattering tone that we took towards them may also be unwise, given what we know now.” ”
Former security minister Tom Tugendhat welcomed the belated introduction of FIRS, but questioned whether China would take that step.
But Mr Jarvis noted that former Conservative Prime Minister David Cameron had enjoyed more friendly talks with the Chinese leader, adding: “In terms of his approach to China, I don’t agree with his characterization of the Prime Minister’s recent talks.” I don’t agree with that, and I would.” Just tell him gently. At least he didn’t take him to the pub for a drink. ”
Earlier, Sir Keir himself admitted he was concerned about the “challenge” posed by China, but redoubled his approach of “engagement” and cooperation.
The prime minister, who is visiting Norway, did not comment on any conversations he may have had with the royal family about the spying scandal, but added: “Of course we are concerned about the challenge posed by China.”
He added: “Our approach is to engage, to cooperate where we should, especially on issues such as climate change, and to challenge where we should and should be, especially on issues such as human rights.” , and when to compete,” he added. It will be a trade. That is the strategic approach we have set out as a UK Government. ”