The Chinese language authorities and lawmakers in Hong Kong have lashed out on the UK after its intelligence company MI5 warned that an alleged spy had infiltrated parliament to improperly affect British politicians on behalf of China.
Christine Lee, a 58-year Anglo-Chinese language lawyer, was accused of making an attempt to sway UK lawmakers whereas facilitating donations from figures in Hong Kong and the Chinese language mainland, in accordance with a safety briefing circulated to MPs and friends on Thursday.
Former Labour minister Barry Gardiner obtained greater than £500,000 from Ms Lee’s legislation agency to cowl staffing prices, whereas a lot smaller sums got to Labour HQ and Liberal Democrat chief Ed Davey.
The alleged agent, a London-based solicitor, was given an award by then prime minister Theresa Might in 2019, and David Cameron was photographed talking at an occasion for a Chinese language engagement group that Ms Lee based when he was prime minister.
International Workplace officers have raised considerations with China’s ambassador to the UK over the problem, however the Chinese language embassy in London denied the allegations late on Thursday night time, saying it had “no want” to “purchase affect” in any overseas parliament.
“We firmly oppose the trick of smearing and intimidation in opposition to the Chinese language neighborhood within the UK,” the embassy’s spokesperson mentioned within the assertion.
Leung Chun-ying, former chief government of Hong Kong, additionally criticised the UK authorities and accused London of double requirements.
“If political donations from China and Hong Kong are seen as acts of espionage, there are too many British spies in Hong Kong who’re making direct or oblique donations and selling the ‘western agenda’ to legislators within the capability of barristers, professors, NGOs,” he wrote on his Fb web page. “These individuals would all be spies then.”
Regina Ip, a prime adviser to Hong Kong’s chief Carrie Lam, made an identical argument on Twitter.
She mentioned that the the Chinese language-controlled territory might by the identical measure degree accusations in opposition to overseas rights activists – referring to Benedict Rogers by title – who’ve continuously voiced considerations concerning the deteriorating state of civil liberties there.
On Chinese language social media platform Weibo, The Unbiased recognized a number of posts expressing sarcastic “disbelief” concerning the attain of China’s supposed infiltration marketing campaign. “Now we have already infiltrated the British parliament? That’s wonderful,” one publish learn.
“Are we now highly effective sufficient to intervene with the British parliament?” mentioned one other publish. “Are they going to accuse us of interfering with the Queen’s home issues?”
Weibo customers in each China and Hong Kong accused the UK of hypocrisy, and questioned whether or not all donations made by the US and UK in Hong Kong could be thought of infiltration makes an attempt. Some mentioned MI5’s warning may very well be a part of a coordinated smear marketing campaign by the west earlier than the Beijing Winter Olympics begin subsequent month.
“Western nations have united as soon as once more to create rumours,” the publish mentioned. “At any time when China is about to host main occasions, they may all the time do one thing like this. The tactic is getting actually outdated and tiring.”
The allegation in opposition to Ms Lee is one in all interference with a purpose to acquire covert affect within the UK and never intelligence gathering, in accordance with Whitehall sources.
The UK’s residence secretary Priti Patel mentioned stronger legal guidelines have been wanted since Ms Lee’s exercise was “underneath the prison threshold” – warning that it’s possible there will probably be extra safety alerts just like the one issued on Thursday.
The Unbiased has contacted Ms Lee’s legislation agency for remark.
Kaynak: briturkish.com
