Rishi Sunak challenges premier Li after ‘spying for China’ arrests
GuardianSep 02, 2023
The Facts
During a meeting on Sunday at the G20 summit in India, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak expressed his concern in a sideline meeting regarding alleged PRC Chinese interference in Britain's parliamentary democracy to Premier Li Qiang of China. This comes after two Chinese men were arrested on spying allegations.
The two men were arrested under the UK's Official Secrets Act amid accusations that a parliamentary researcher spied for China. One of the men, in his 20s, is reported to have had relations with several governing Conservative Party MPs; another man in his 30s was arrested in March and was subsequently released on bail.
The Spin
Anti-China narrative
Beijing's covert activities in Britain and its interference in British democracy are unacceptable. The two alleged suspects have so far not been charged, but if found guilty, it would represent one of the most serious breaches of security involving a hostile state in Parliament. If we want real change in PRC behavior, it's important that these issues are escalated to the highest level.
Pro-China narrative
The British government's allegation that China is suspected of stealing intelligence from the UK is completely incorrect and made in bad faith. Beijing wants a positive relationship with London, but this is complicated by anti-China political rhetoric.
