Chinese embassy refutes reports of Beijing's 'political interference activities' in British parliament

ANI
15 Jan 2022, 00:27 GMT+10

London [UK], January 14 (ANI): The Chinese embassy in Britain has refuted reports that a British lawyer of Chinese descent is "involved in political interference activities" in British parliament, media reported on Friday.

"China always adheres to the principle of non-interference in other country's internal affairs," a spokesperson of the embassy said, according to Xinhua News Agency.

"We have no need and never seek to 'buy influence' in any foreign parliament," the spokesperson said, adding that "we firmly oppose the trick of smearing and intimidation against the Chinese community in the UK."On Thursday, Britain's domestic security agency, MI5, sent an unusual alert to lawmakers warning that an agent of the Chinese government was actively working to subvert the political processes of Parliament, The New York Times reported.

This is the sort of interference "we now anticipate and expect from China," said Tobias Ellwood, a Conservative lawmaker. "But the fact that it has happened to this Parliament -- there must be a sense of urgency from this government."This comes as tensions have heightened between the two nations, with Britain in recent years taking an increasingly firm stance against Beijing.

According to The New York Times, the UK has revoked the license of a Chinese-backed broadcaster, suspended an extradition treaty with Hong Kong and granted visas to tens of thousands of Hong Kong residents in the aftermath of a security law from Beijing that stifles political dissent. (ANI)

Watch latest videos

News RELEASES

Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Birmingham News.

More Information

2 ℃

Cloudy in Birmingham

International

Section

Chevron, Total to end business ties with Myanmar

PARIS, France: Two of the largest energy companies have announced that they are leaving Myanmar, citing human rights abuses and ...

Restaurants say Minneapolis vaccine rules unfair, sue city

MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota: The city of Minneapolis and its mayor are being sued by restaurant and bar owners, in response to ...

U.S. unlikely to organize evacuations for Americans in Ukraine

US citizens in Ukraine advised to board commercial flights in case push comes to shove A spokesperson for the US ...

Hundreds of Cubans expected to receive prison terms after July riots

HAVANA, Cuba: Courts in Cuba concluded six mass trials involving individuals allegedly participating in the largest and most unruly demonstrations ...

UK's Johnson announces easing of COVID-19 restrictions

LONDON, England: UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said that since infections are leveling off in most parts of the ...

Slovenia, Taiwan to open representative offices, China condemns move

BEIJING, China: Slovenia's plans to upgrade relations with self-governing Taiwan have angered China, which accused Taiwan of ratcheting up diplomatic ...