UK reveals evidence of large-scale Chinese espionage
Chinese leader Xi Jinping (photo: Getty Images)
Britain has released evidence of large-scale Chinese espionage operations that threatened the country's national security and economy, Politico reports.
A senior British government official in a failed espionage case that sparked a heated political dispute in Westminster said that Chinese intelligence services had conducted "large-scale espionage operations" that threatened the UK's economy and security.
Deputy National Security Adviser Matthew Collins stated in written evidence that the alleged activities of two men accused of spying for China are "prejudicial to the safety or interests of the UK," and that the "information and material" they passed on would be "directly or indirectly" beneficial to the Chinese state.
Collins also emphasized to prosecutors that Britain seeks "a positive relationship with China to strengthen understanding, cooperation and stability," according to documents published in response to growing criticism of the government's actions in the case.
What is known about the espionage case
Thirty-year-old Christopher Cash, a former researcher for a Conservative MP, and thirty-three-year-old teacher Christopher Berry denied allegations that they had passed confidential information to an alleged Chinese intelligence agent between 2021 and 2023.
The Crown Prosecution Service unexpectedly dropped charges against them last month, which sparked a political backlash.
The director of public prosecutions stated that the case was closed because the government, which identifies China as a national security threat, failed to provide evidence.
Opposition Conservatives, who were in power when the men were charged in April 2024, accused the current Labor government of being "too weak to stand up to Beijing on a crucial matter of national security."
Earlier this autumn, the British intelligence agency MI6 issued recommendations to MPs for the first time on protection against espionage and foreign interference.
Previously, Russian spies, including diplomats, had been repeatedly detained in the UK. Late last year, several Russian diplomats managed to enter a restricted area of the British Parliament during a guided tour.
The British intelligence agency MI6 launched its own specialized portal, Silent Courier, on the dark web to recruit spies from Russia.
