Richard Sanders, Staff Writer
In a statement issued on Tuesday, a Chinese embassy spokesperson in London criticized “anti-China rhetoric from a small number of UK MPs,” claiming it has exposed their distorted views on China. The spokesperson accused them of attempting to “discredit China” and “hinder normal exchanges between China and the UK.”
This statement comes amid increasing calls for the Government to label China a national security threat following the identification of an alleged Chinese spy connected to the Duke of York.
Yang Tengbo, who denies any wrongdoing, was named on Monday as the individual banned from the UK and is reported to have been a close associate of the Duke.
The embassy spokesperson’s statement emphasized that a healthy and stable relationship between China and the UK should be mutually beneficial, not one-sided. They urged the UK to accurately perceive China, recognize historical trends, and approach bilateral relations based on mutual respect and non-interference.
The statement called for the UK to cease creating disturbances, stop anti-China political maneuvers, and maintain normal exchanges between the two nations.
It further criticized a “small group of UK MPs” for their “anti-China rhetoric,” stating that their actions reveal their arrogance and lack of integrity. The spokesperson remarked that this behavior is akin to a thief accusing others of theft, as their true intentions are to discredit China and target the Chinese community in the UK.
The embassy expressed strong condemnation of these actions.
In related developments, parliament members have urged the Government to activate the proposed foreign influence registration scheme, placing China in a higher scrutiny category. Sir Iain Duncan Smith, a prominent critic of China, highlighted a report indicating that 40,000 members of China’s United Front Work Department have infiltrated various sectors of the UK economy.
Security minister Dan Jarvis assured MPs that the Government would utilize all available resources to safeguard the UK. He noted that the foreign influence registration scheme was not ready for implementation when Labour assumed power, despite opposing claims, and stressed that efforts to progress its implementation have increased since taking office.