View Full Version : Chinese Agent in Houses of Parliament
https://twitter.com/emharris33/status/1481617552447094784?s=21
Asturias56
13th Jan 2022, 16:03
Well that's one Chinese agent who is engaged in a useless activity - nothing secret there .............. tho' probably cheaper than paying for "consultancy" services by the inmates
etudiant
13th Jan 2022, 16:49
Well that's one Chinese agent who is engaged in a useless activity - nothing secret there .............. tho' probably cheaper than paying for "consultancy" services by the inmates
Seen that China is/was? a big player in Britain's nuclear energy renewal, it would be silly for the Chinese not to have someone on site.
Here in the US, there is a law mandating that foreign agents register with the US government, don't know if similar laws cover the British Parliament.
For an unregistered agent, the issue would be conflict of interest, does he represent China or Britain when the interests diverge.
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/jan/13/chinese-national-trying-to-improperly-influence-politicians-says-mi5
MI5 accuses lawyer of trying to influence politicians on behalf of China
etudiant
13th Jan 2022, 18:27
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/jan/13/chinese-national-trying-to-improperly-influence-politicians-says-mi5
MI5 accuses lawyer of trying to influence politicians on behalf of China
Interesting, an obviously Chinese lady speaking to the MPs.
Are the MPs too thick to recognize whom she might be working for?
clareprop
13th Jan 2022, 18:30
Oh come on, she isn't stealing secrets, she's trying to influence and persuade.....every time one goes to an embassy drinks party one meets people who are actively working for their government to gain intelligence or further their interest in the country they are posted to. Any senior business or military person working in China will have stories of approaches or gentle questioning. We do the same - it's the way of the world and those involved in it know exactly what is going on and how to deal with it.
Over £675,000 given as bribes/donations. Supposedly from reputable and legal UK donors - actually funded by the Chinese government….
Reminiscent of the scandals which hit Australia - who took form action, albeit as a consequence they’ve been hot with both official and unofficial trade barriers and sanctions.
Inhave to wonder what the government will do - especially as it seems most of the money went the way of the Labour Party….
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/politics/17311209/major-chinese-spying-row-to-hit-parliament/
staircase
13th Jan 2022, 19:58
Nothing to do with a 'dead cat on the table' then?
Might take another news story of the front page do you think?
Not unless you assume MI5 and the Speaker were in cahoots. Anyway, who needs the Chinese to distract attention when you have a live Prince of the Realm doing it…
https://twitter.com/pinstripedline/status/1481760730688937984?s=21
staircase
14th Jan 2022, 08:57
A fair comment ORAC, but I notice that within a few hours of this making the news reports then revelations of more Number 10 parties surface. Now I wonder who could have made those public?
But if we talk about the Chinese then their curse comes to mind;
'may you live in interesting times'.
SATCOS WHIPPING BOY
14th Jan 2022, 18:07
Interesting, an obviously Chinese lady speaking to the MPs.
Are the MPs too thick to recognize whom she might be working for?
Yeh, right. So on that premise do you think Rishi Sunak works for ISIS? I mean, they all look the same.
etudiant
14th Jan 2022, 21:27
Yeh, right. So on that premise do you think Rishi Sunak works for ISIS? I mean, they all look the same.
Touche!
Does not alter the basic point, that China legitimately should deploy lobbyists to ensure that the Parliament is fully informed as to the implications of its decisions, as well as to the alternatives.
Otherwise, we have rule by the mandarins in the permanent bureaucracy.
Just hope the MPs have the smarts to tell which one to listen to.
Asturias56
15th Jan 2022, 09:07
Parliament is stuffed with lobbyists - I honestly can't see what difference this lady makes.
Flugplatz
15th Jan 2022, 16:00
Since they have an embassy here, and diplomatic staff - why do they need lobbyists if it is government to government relationships and the work of parliament?
Asturias56
15th Jan 2022, 17:46
You could say the same about all the commercial companies who hire MP's and Lords (and ex Senior civil servants) - they also have offices in London etc etc
Why do they need lobbyists? Because that's how you get favours