On Tuesday, October 8, the British security agency made its annual update on the national security threats facing the UK, detailing threats from China, Iran, and Russia, as well as the increasing concern over terrorist activities.
Ken McCallum, the head of MI5, delivered a speech at the Counter Terrorism Operations Centre (CTOC) in London, warning that the current environment is “the most complex and interconnected threat environment we have ever seen.” He analyzed threats from terrorism and the ongoing efforts by authoritarian states to harm UK’s security.
McCallum stressed the importance of international partnerships, announcing that the counter-terrorism agencies of the Five Eyes alliance will collaborate with UK’s institutions at CTOC to jointly detect and counter terrorism threats, a level of joint action that was previously unimaginable.
He highlighted that China (the CCP) remains a significant risk to the UK, especially in terms of stealing sensitive information from businesses and academia.
McCallum noted that authoritarian regimes pose a threat to the UK’s democratic system, with their domestic crackdowns extending overseas, investing heavily in developing intelligence capabilities and advanced cyber operations, targeting sensitive government information, technology, democratic institutions, journalists, and human rights defenders.
Regarding the national threats posed by China, MI5 will focus on combating actions attempting to harm or coerce individuals, protecting the Chinese community in the UK from cross-national oppression by the CCP, countering threats to the UK’s democratic institutions, safeguarding critical information, and addressing substantial threats.
China has increasingly targeted overseas individuals using a strategy called “cross-national oppression” to suppress dissenting voices or criticism.
In recent years, China’s surveillance and influence on UK universities have raised concerns. Between 2021 and 2022, the UK had 151,690 students from China, making it the largest non-domestic student group in the country.
A report released by the UK Parliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) last year revealed that China has infiltrated various sectors in the UK, including politics, economy, academia, civil infrastructure, posing a significant threat to the UK’s democratic system. However, the report criticized the UK government’s response as “wholly inadequate” and being driven by short-term economic benefits.
In response to the significant threats posed by China in cyberattacks, technology, or intellectual property theft, the MI5 head stated their commitment to enhancing the protection of classified information, monitoring potential intelligence activities, and taking measures to prevent foreign forces or organizations from harming the UK’s infrastructure, commercial, and academic sectors.
McCallum urged individuals working in cutting-edge technology, business, or academia to refer to the guidance document “Trusted Research and Secure Innovation” jointly issued by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and the National Security Protection Agency (NPSA) to safeguard technological advantages.