When MPs and members of the House of Lords received warnings about Chinese spy threats, a routine check began in Westminster. Simon Whelband, a Conservative councillor working for MP Neil O’Brien, discovered a cautionary message in his LinkedIn inbox. It came from a user named Shirly Shen, offering a supposedly enticing job opportunity.
Initial impressions might suggest harmless intentions, but Simon didn’t reply. Instead, he reported the message to Parliament’s security services, who advised him to block the account. “It wasn’t well written,” he noted, adding that someone with less experience might fall for it.
Simon has been around Parliament for a decade. He sees a disturbing trend: more and more staff are becoming targets for foreign entities, particularly China. “They’ve found a way to reach Parliament through its staff. That’s very concerning,” he said.
This autumn, Westminster is again grappling with China’s influence, which has been a growing concern over the past 30 years, parallel to the rise of the internet. Government officials tread carefully while voicing their fears, but backbench MPs are more forthright.
During a recent Commons debate, Security Minister Dan Jarvis acknowledged various security anxieties brought up by MPs from different parties. Here are some of those key concerns:
- Fears that Chinese-made buses might have a “kill switch” that could be activated remotely to cause disruption.
- Worries that Chinese-manufactured military vehicles might be spying tools, prompting military personnel to be cautious about what they say while using them.
- Alarm over China’s plans for a new, potentially dangerous embassy in central London, located near sensitive communication lines.
Last month, authorities reflected on a cancelled court case involving two individuals accused of espionage, one of whom had worked in Westminster. Now, MPs have received a serious warning from MI5 about being potential targets for Chinese recruitment efforts on social media.
MI5 has pinpointed two LinkedIn accounts believed to be operated by Chinese security services. Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle shared this warning with his colleagues. The profiles, supposedly for Amanda Qiu and Shirly Shen, solicit insider information. It remains unclear if the named users are the actual account holders.
As Jarvis explained, China sees value in even the smallest bits of information. By gathering these snippets, they can form a broader understanding of their targets.
On a political front, the Labour government seeks to mend ties with China. Officials like Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Business Secretary Peter Kyle have visited Beijing recently. However, several MPs are skeptical about this approach and worry that it underestimates the threats posed by such a powerful nation.
The pressing question is whether MI5’s warnings will shift attitudes in Parliament. Some MPs are increasingly demanding a more cautious stance, suggesting, “You can’t reason with a tiger when your head is in its mouth.”
China is a unique superpower. It’s a necessary partner, yet also a potential threat. This ongoing debate reflects the delicate balance of interests that will continue to play out in the political landscape.
For more information on espionage allegations and national security measures, visit the BBC.
