Foreign Secretary faces fury in Commons as he reveals shocking audit showing China’s espionage and election interference are INCREASING – but insists ‘not engaging is no choice at all’
They’re spying on us, meddling in our elections and undermining our national security – but apparently we need their cash more than our dignity.
In an extraordinary statement to MPs today, Foreign Secretary David Lammy admitted China poses a “sophisticated and persistent threat” to Britain while simultaneously declaring we have no choice but to cosy up to Beijing for trade deals.
The startling admission came as he unveiled Labour’s long-awaited China audit, which painted a damning picture of Beijing’s hostile activities on British soil. Yet despite the alarming findings, Lammy insisted freezing relations “is not an option”.
Talk about having your cake and eating it!
Tories Blast ‘Cap in Hand’ Approach
Shadow Foreign Secretary Priti Patel didn’t hold back, accusing Labour of going “cap in hand to China to bail out its terrible handling of the British economy.
She thundered: “It is setting up its closer economic ties with China while knowing very well that British businesses here are struggling, not just when it comes to competing against China, but actually struggling to absorb the weight of Labour’s own regulatory costs in this country.
The scathing attack hit home as Lammy squirmed on the front bench, forced to defend what critics are calling a dangerous balancing act between national security and economic desperation.
The Damning Audit Findings
The Government’s examination of UK-China relations revealed a catalogue of threats that would make any patriot’s blood boil:
- China’s espionage activities have increased in recent years
- Beijing is actively interfering in our democracy
- Chinese operations are undermining our economic security
- The threat requires an urgent “increase in China capabilities across the national security system”
Yet despite these shocking revelations, the audit recommended seeking a “trade and investment relationship” to boost the UK economy. You couldn’t make it up!
‘No Grubby Deals’ – Yeah, Right!
Things got even more heated when former Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith delivered a blistering takedown of China’s rap sheet.
In a devastating intervention, he rattled off Beijing’s crimes: “China threatens Taiwan, has invaded the South China Sea, it’s having massive disputes with the Philippines, genocide, slave labour, organ harvesting, transnational repression, taxes Hong Kong dissidents here, Hong Kong dissidents under threat constantly, cyber-attacks on the UK, supports Myanmar in their oppressive military regime, supports Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, it also supports North Korea and Iran.
He then posed the killer question: “What a record to balance, what? Against some potential trade?”
The veteran MP, who’s been sanctioned by China himself, also raised explosive claims about Beijing’s proposed ‘super-embassy’ in London, demanding to know if private assurances had been given to the Chinese.
Lammy’s response? A flustered assurance that there are “no grubby deals on any issues” – though his body language suggested otherwise.
‘China’s Power is Inescapable’
Despite acknowledging China as a major threat, Lammy argued Britain has no choice but to engage with the Communist superpower.
In the past decade China has delivered a third of global economic growth, becoming the world’s second largest economy,” he told MPs. Together with Hong Kong, it represents the UK’s third largest trading partner.
Not engaging with China is therefore no choice at all,” he declared. “China’s power is an inescapable fact.”
Critics will argue that’s exactly the defeatist attitude that got us into this mess in the first place.
The ‘Progressive Realism’ Smokescreen
Lammy claimed the UK’s approach would be founded on what he called “progressive realism” – taking the world “as it is, not as we wish it to be.
The strategy promises “direct and high-level engagement and pragmatic cooperation where it is in our national interest”, signalling more cosy chats with Beijing bigwigs.
But the audit itself admitted there are “stark differences” on human rights and cyber security “where continued tension is likely. No kidding!
What About Hong Kong?
The Foreign Secretary promised Britain would “continue to protect the Hong Kong community in the UK and others from transnational repression” – though given we’re simultaneously seeking trade deals with their oppressors, Hong Kongers might be forgiven for feeling less than reassured.
Lammy has previously raised the case of jailed Hong Kong activist Jimmy Lai with Chinese officials, but critics say warm words mean nothing without tough action.
The Climate Card
In a transparent attempt to justify the engagement, the audit stressed China’s role in tackling “the biggest global challenges, from climate change to global health to financial stability.
How convenient that saving the planet requires us to overlook genocide, organ harvesting and support for Putin’s war machine!
Labour’s Dangerous Gamble
During his October visit to China, Lammy told business leaders they wanted “stability and clarity” in trade relations, revealing where the Government’s priorities really lie.
But at what cost? As one MP put it, we’re essentially telling Beijing: “Spy on us, hack our systems, threaten our allies – just keep the trade flowing!
The audit recommends creating “the basis for a reciprocal and balanced economic relationship” – good luck achieving balance with a regime that plays by its own rules.
The Bottom Line
Labour’s China strategy amounts to this: we know they’re a threat, we know they’re getting worse, but we’re so desperate for cash we’ll hold our nose and do business anyway.
It’s a high-stakes gamble that puts pounds before principles and trade before trust. And with China’s track record of exploiting Western weakness, don’t be surprised if Beijing sees this as a green light for even more aggressive behaviour.
As Sir Iain’s scathing assessment made clear, we’re being asked to overlook an astonishing catalogue of crimes for the promise of trade deals.
That’s not progressive realism – it’s dangerous naivety. And Britain will pay the price.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy meets Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing
Photo by Ben Dance / FCDO, taken on 18 October 2024 at 18:30 in Beijing, China, used under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license
