Splits over plans to brand China a security threat to UK

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is facing government splits over plans to formally designate China as a threat to Britain under new national security laws. On Tuesday, the United Kingdom and the United States accused Beijing of a “prolific” global campaign to seize the personal information of politicians, journalists, academics and millions of voters. Oliver Dowden, the deputy prime minister, indicated that the government was preparing to place China on a new enhanced list of countries that pose the biggest national security risk to the UK. Under the plans, anyone working “at the direction” of China or state-linked Chinese companies would be required to register with the government and disclose any activities conducted on their behalf. Failure to do so would be a criminal offence punishable by a five-year jail sentence. However, the approach has led to divisions in Whitehall. The Home Office favours adding China to the enhanced tier on the basis that it is taking a “whole-of-state” approach to spying. Tom Tugendhat, the security minister, wants to formally designate every arm of the Chinese government rather than take a partial approach. Other departments are said to have significant concerns about the potential impact on trade, including the Department for Business and Trade and the Foreign Office. The concerns are being discussed, and proposals are due to be submitted to ministers.