Unmasking Espionage: Chinese Spies Target UK Lawmakers

MI5 has warned UK lawmakers about Chinese spies reaching out through recruitment platforms like LinkedIn. The spies aim to gather information and build long-term relationships. The alert highlighted names like Amanda Qiu and Shirly Shen, indicating widespread efforts by China's Ministry of State Security.

The UK's domestic intelligence agency, MI5, has raised alarms over Chinese espionage activities targeting Parliament members. According to a new alert issued Tuesday, Chinese operatives have been using LinkedIn and recruitment headhunters for intelligence-gathering.

House of Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle communicated the warning, citing Chinese nationals using professional networking sites to establish contact on behalf of the Chinese Ministry of State Security. The espionage is labeled as both targeted and extensive.

Highlighted in the alert are individuals Amanda Qiu and Shirly Shen, who are accused of being fronts for wider espionage networks. MI5's Director-General Ken McCallum recently underscored the continuous threat posed by China, involving cyberespionage and covert political interference in UK affairs.

(With inputs from agencies.)