The British public is becoming increasingly aware of a pressing and persistent issue: the escalation of China’s aggressive attempts to intimidate, pressure, and influence the United Kingdom.
This issue, highlighted by Tom Tugendhat MP, former UK Minister of State for Security, is not a plotline from a fictional drama but a stark reality that poses a significant threat to British safety and sovereignty. Writing in The Times, Tugendhat expressed concern that the UK government is not taking adequate measures to address these threats, leaving the nation vulnerable.
Recent revelations have brought this issue to the forefront. The exposure of alleged Chinese spy Yang Tengbo coincided with a court ruling that MI5 acted lawfully in issuing a rare interference alert about Christine Lee, another alleged Chinese agent. Lee is accused of infiltrating the UK Parliament to conduct covert political interference on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). These cases are not isolated incidents but part of a broader pattern of hostile activities orchestrated by Beijing.
Tugendhat’s warnings underline the extent of China’s interference in the UK. Beyond political infiltration, China’s tactics include targeting businesses and universities, establishing secret police stations in British cities, and engaging in physical intimidation, such as the assault on a protester outside the Chinese consulate in Manchester. These actions illustrate a calculated effort to undermine British institutions and freedoms.
The situation becomes even more alarming when considering the plight of British citizens abroad. Jimmy Lai, a 77-year-old journalist and democracy activist, has been arbitrarily detained in Hong Kong since December 2020. Held in solitary confinement, Lai’s detention has been deemed a grave violation of human rights by the United Nations.
Despite repeated calls from the UK government for his immediate and unconditional release, he remains imprisoned. His case exemplifies the CCP’s disregard for international norms and human rights, further highlighting the risks posed by China’s authoritarian regime.
In response to these threats, Tom Tugendhat advocates for a robust and principled strategy to defend the UK and its citizens.
However, he criticises the current government’s approach as “reckless and incoherent.”
Recent engagements with Chinese leaders, including Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s meeting with President Xi Jinping at the G20 summit and the foreign secretary’s visit to China in October, reflect a willingness to prioritise economic interests over national security. The chancellor’s upcoming visit to China adds to this pattern of engagement, which Tugendhat likens to “taking a begging bowl to a bully.”
Tugendhat calls for a more assertive stance. He suggests that future diplomatic engagements should be contingent on tangible actions from Beijing, such as the release of Jimmy Lai. Furthermore, he emphasises the need to implement the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme, a critical measure to bolster the UK’s defences against covert foreign interference.
By placing China in the enhanced tier of this scheme, the government can better address the national security threats posed by Beijing.
The stakes are high. Failure to act decisively risks not only undermining British safety and prosperity but also emboldening an authoritarian regime that has shown little regard for international norms. Tugendhat’s recommendations provide a clear roadmap for protecting the UK from these threats. By prioritising national security, standing firm on human rights, and implementing effective countermeasures, the UK can safeguard its interests and values in the face of escalating challenges from China.
As the UK navigates its relationship with China, the government must strike a balance between economic engagement and national security. While collaboration on global issues and trade is essential, it cannot come at the expense of British sovereignty or safety. The recent revelations about Chinese espionage and interference serve as a wake-up call. The government must act with urgency and resolve to protect the nation from the growing threat posed by Beijing.
Tom Tugendhat, currently Member of Parliament for Tonbridge, served in the Cabinet as Minister of State for Security from September 2022 to July 2024.
He served as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Territorial Army, seeing service in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Main Image: By Laurie Noble – https://members.parliament.uk/member/4462/portrait, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=150369222
