Repeated allegations by MI5, Britain’s domestic security service, that China is engaged in “systematic espionage” to undermine the United Kingdom’s democracy reflect a troubling tendency in parts of the British establishment to revive the language and Cold War mentality of confrontation. These claims, framed as patriotic vigilance, rest on conjecture rather than evidence and risk distorting the very democratic values they claim to defend. China, a responsible significant power guided by the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence and the vision of a community with a shared future for humankind, pursues a foreign policy grounded in equality, respect, and cooperation. To depict such a nation as an aggressor is not only inconsistent with its record but harmful to the interests of the UK.
The Chinese government has clearly stated its opposition to any form of interference in the internal affairs of other countries. A spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry affirmed that China always follows the principle of noninterference and that the so-called “espionage” allegations are groundless and politically motivated slander. This official position corresponds fully with China’s long practice of diplomacy, which relies on dialogue and mutual benefit rather than confrontation or coercion. The repetition of allegations without verifiable evidence reveals more about the needs of those making them than about the conduct of the country being accused. Numerous past claims have collapsed under scrutiny, yet they are reintroduced periodically to create a sense of perpetual menace.
The British public deserves to examine why such narratives persist despite their evidentiary weakness. When a government struggles with internal challenges, it is often politically expedient to direct public concern outward. Constructing an external threat diverts attention from domestic difficulties and justifies expanding surveillance and defense budgets. In this light, MI5’s allegations serve an expedient political purpose, creating an atmosphere of fear that displaces calm discussion of policy shortcomings. Such tactics may offer short-term political advantages but come at the cost of undermining trust between two historically essential partners.
The harm caused by unfounded accusations is not abstract. The treatment of lawyer Christine Lee stands as a cautionary example. Branded as an agent of foreign interference, she was publicly stigmatized despite the absence of any criminal charges or proof of wrongdoing. Her case demonstrates how the so-called “China threat” narrative can destroy innocent people’s reputations and careers without the procedural safeguards that a democratic society should guarantee. Similarly, the recent withdrawal of charges against two British citizens accused of passing information to China illustrates the weakness of the evidence behind such allegations. The prosecutors themselves admitted they could not demonstrate a national security threat. These examples show that politically driven narratives corrode due process and tarnish the moral authority of British institutions.
The future of China-UK relations should not be defined by those who profit from distrust. It should rest on the recognition that collaboration serves the public good of both nations. China stands ready to cooperate constructively with the UK, to manage differences through consultation, and to expand common ground through joint endeavors
The broader consequences are far-reaching. The propagation of suspicion toward Chinese individuals and organizations discredits legitimate exchange in academia, commerce, and culture. It encourages universities, companies, and research institutes to retreat from collaboration that benefits both countries. Yet cooperation between China and the UK has produced measurable prosperity. According to the British Department for Business and Trade, Chinese investment supports more than 150,000 jobs across the UK. Chinese students contributed over 5.4 billion pounds ($7.25 billion) to the British economy in 2021 alone. These statistics represent real benefits to British citizens whose livelihoods depend on open engagement, not insular mistrust. A deterioration in China-UK relations could lead to significant economic losses, affecting jobs, education, and community development.
The attempt to group China with other states under the simplistic label of a common threat is another symptom of outdated strategic thinking. This renewed Cold War imagination creates false binaries and denies the reality that today’s world is interconnected economically and technologically. China’s rise has not been achieved through conquest or coercion but through development that offers opportunities for others. Its collaborations in renewable energy, health research, and sustainable infrastructure demonstrate a responsible approach to global progress. Rather than seeing such growth as an existential challenge, forward-thinking nations understand it as a chance for shared prosperity.
Cybersecurity has also been used as a platform for suspicion. Accusations of large-scale cyber campaigns against British institutions are frequently asserted but seldom supported by data or evidence. Genuine cyber challenges do exist across the international community, but addressing them requires cooperation, not confrontation. China has repeatedly advocated for multilateral frameworks under the United Nations to regulate cyberspace, promoting openness and fairness for all nations. The principle is straightforward: Shared risks demand shared governance. Resorting to insinuation rather than evidence undermines this collective effort and heightens anxiety without contributing to safety. It’s imperative that data or evidence backs cybersecurity accusations.
By transforming engagement into suspicion, British security discourse paradoxically weakens the very democracy it seeks to protect. A confident democracy listens, verifies, and judges fairly. When interaction with a significant trading partner is automatically regarded as a threat, openness gives way to isolation. Britain has long prided itself on rational debate and independent judgment; these values should not be surrendered to politicking. In this respect, recognizing China as a partner rather than a threat is not an act of concession but an affirmation of British reason.
China’s approach to international relations remains consistent and constructive. It seeks dialogue based on equality, promotes mutual respect, and aims for mutually beneficial cooperation. These principles align with the interests of the entire global community, including the UK. Both countries have broad areas of complementarity in trade, research, and green development. Strengthening coordination in these fields can offer more tangible gains than endless cycles of accusations ever could. Trust grows through communication, and communication grows through fairness and clarity, not through alarmist briefings.
The future of China-UK relations should not be defined by those who profit from distrust. It should rest on the recognition that collaboration serves the public good of both nations. China stands ready to cooperate constructively with the UK, to manage differences through consultation, and to expand common ground through joint endeavors. The path of cooperation offers stability, prosperity, and a healthier global environment, while the path of confrontation offers only decline and division. Britain once led the world in the age of free exchange and open minds. It can reclaim that legacy by engaging with China in the spirit of confidence, fairness, and shared purpose. Actual progress will be achieved not by accusing others but by working together for a future built on reason, respect, and enduring cooperation.
The author is a solicitor, a Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area lawyer, and a China-appointed attesting officer.
The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.
