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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
National
Dan Sabbagh Defence and security editor

UK proves espionage is always political in calling out China ‘spying’ at G20

A silhouette in front of Westminster.
China is accused of recruiting a Briton, who held a coveted job as a researcher in Westminster. Photograph: Andy Rain/EPA

If it proves to be the case that China has recruited a Briton, who held a coveted job as a researcher in Westminster, as an agent, it represents a significant escalation in Beijing’s intelligence targeting of the UK.

Chinese spying efforts were once focused on the hacking and stealing of intellectual property. More recently there have been signs of a growth in human intelligence efforts, using undercover Chinese nationals in an effort to obtain information.

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