China ‘constructing secret community’ throughout UK in ‘universities and companies’
An investigation found China has at least 75 ‘influence’ outposts across the UK, which are said to have links to the Chinese Communist Party’s United Front system
China has been accused of building a network across universities(Image: Getty Images/EyeEm)
China has been accused of building a secret network across the UK in universities and businesses, sparking security fears.
A probe found the superpower has at least 75 “influence” outposts, mainly through independent groups. And the organisations have links to the Chinese Communist Party’s United Front system, used to “shape debate and suppress criticism of Beijing”.
The findings come as Sir Keir Starmer will visit China on Wednesday with British business tycoons. Sir Tom Tugendhat, the former security minister, raged: “It is unacceptable that the Government has still not placed China on the ‘enhanced tier’ of the foreign influence registration scheme.
“We need to give our intelligence service the tools they can use to address these threats.”
The research from the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC) found 80% of the groups uncovered are described as “talent liaison” or “talent acquisition” stations. And many are linked to state-backed recruitment schemes targeting boffins and researchers.
It comes after plans for a Chinese mega embassy in central London were approved last week. Critics said the site near crucial data cables will provide a base for spies working with Beijing spooks.
A Home Office spokesman said: “We take all forms of political interference extremely seriously and we will not hesitate to hold all state threat actors accountable. We will take all necessary measures to protect our national interests.”
The Government is facing mounting calls to reject Beijing’s plans for the embassy at Royal Mint Court over security concerns. The plans for the site, near the Tower of London, reportedly include 208 secret rooms and a hidden chamber.
Critics fear the secret rooms, located in the site’s basement, could be used for the detention of dissidents who have fled the Chinese state for Britain. The hidden chamber would meanwhile be located in close proximity to data cables said to be crucial for financial sector communications between the City of London and Canary Wharf.
Ministers have promised to make a decision on whether to grant the Chinese embassy planning permission by January 20.
Before then, they have insisted it would be inappropriate for them to comment on it.
Ciaran Martin, the former chief executive of the National Cyber Security Centre, suggested that Britain’s spies are likely to have already thoroughly scrutinised the plans. Writing in The Times, he said: “I don’t know what the Government will decide.
“But let’s suppose the security services sign off this site but the Government bows to pressure and rejects their advice. Then the Chinese come back with a new plan, provoking a new controversy (which it undoubtedly will).
“If we don’t trust the professional and operational judgment of our own security services this time round, who should we use to assess the new proposal?” Mr Martin also challenged the worries about secret rooms, describing them as “classified facilities”, and added: “It’s where classified work – the lifeblood of foreign and security policy – gets done.”
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