Recent reports from British media, citing sources familiar with the matter, reveal that Chinese Communist spies have installed listening devices throughout central London, including park benches and bars near the Westminster (British Parliament), to eavesdrop on conversations of British political figures.
As concerns over Beijing’s espionage activities in the UK intensify, officials serving sensitive roles at Westminster have been warned to avoid “high-risk” locations in the SW1 area of central London.
According to sources in the British government speaking to the Daily Mail, Chinese Communist listening devices have been discovered at popular spots frequented by civil servants and government researchers.
These locations reportedly include The Red Lion, a famous pub just steps away from Parliament and Downing Street. Government sources disclosed to the newspaper that this historic pub is “filled with Chinese Communist operatives.”
Luxury hotels such as the Corinthia Hotel near Trafalgar Square and the newly opened Raffles London at The OWO in Whitehall, as well as St James’s Park located between Buckingham Palace and Downing Street, near major government departments like the Foreign Office and the Treasury, are also mentioned.
Sources state, “We have been informed that the Chinese [Communist Party] has virtually covered the entire park with listening devices, concealed in bushes and under park benches.”
The park and the bar are popular meeting spots for government researchers and civil servants during lunchtime.
The report indicates that Chinese Communists target hundreds of Westminster staffers, including junior aides working for Members of Parliament. A source revealed that operatives from China, Russia, Iran, and other countries see such personnel as vulnerable points within the British government.
Simultaneously, the Chinese Communist Party continues to actively target senior British political figures, especially Members of Parliament who criticize the Chinese government. For example, Sir Iain Duncan Smith, former Conservative Party leader, faced sanctions from China for condemning Chinese bullying of Taiwan, the alleged genocide of Uighur Muslims in Xinjiang, and has been subjected to suspected cyber-attacks originating from Beijing.
In fact, the UK Parliament has become a frequent target of cyberattacks from hostile entities. MPs critical of China are often targeted by hackers, prompting regular security briefings on how to counter these threats.
Additionally, doctors providing treatment to British military personnel have become targets of Chinese hackers attempting to steal patient data. Some doctors have been advised to take extra precautions, such as avoiding carrying phones during patient visits and maintaining paper records to prevent hostile entities from accessing data.
Earlier reports indicated that the sharing of medical records of 500,000 patients under the National Health Service (NHS) with Chinese researchers raised concerns about data security and potential misuse.
Patient information from the NHS was anonymously uploaded to the central database of the UK Biobank, and analysis showed that one-fifth of successful data access requests came from China. MPs warn that this information could be used by Beijing for developing biological weapons.
Last week, the Sunday edition of the Daily Mail revealed that the planned new “super-embassy” constructed in central London by the Chinese Communist Party may include “spy dungeons” and interrogation rooms, posing a threat to the UK’s national security.
The Chinese Communist Party’s plan for the “super-embassy” has faced strong protests from political figures nationwide to grassroots organizations in the UK.
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp disclosed in the Daily Mail, “We know that China (the Communist Party) is establishing a network of spies and penetration in the UK.”
Philp criticized the government for not enforcing stricter oversight on China under the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme, which could weaken the UK’s ability to guard against potential security threats. He urged for stronger policies to tackle China and safeguard national security.