Nov 19, 2025 01:47 AM
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/chine...-mi5-warns
INTRO: Britain’s domestic intelligence agency on Tuesday warned U.K. lawmakers that Chinese spies were actively reaching out to “recruit and cultivate” them via headhunters or cover companies.
Writing to lawmakers, House of Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle said a new MI5 “espionage alert” warned that Chinese nationals were ”using LinkedIn profiles to conduct outreach at scale” on behalf of the Chinese Ministry of State Security.
“Their aim is to collect information and lay the groundwork for long-term relationships, using professional networking sites, recruitment agents and consultants acting on their behalf,” he said.
MI5 issued the alert because the activity was “targeted and widespread,” he added.
The Chinese Embassy in London dismissed the allegations as “pure fabrication and malicious slander” and warned the U.K. against further undermining bilateral relations.
The MI5 alert cited LinkedIn profiles of two women, Amanda Qiu and Shirly Shen, and said other similar recruiters’ profiles were acting as fronts for espionage.
Home Office Minister Dan Jarvis said that apart from parliamentary staff, others including economists, think tank consultants and government officials have been similarly targeted... (MORE - details)
INTRO: Britain’s domestic intelligence agency on Tuesday warned U.K. lawmakers that Chinese spies were actively reaching out to “recruit and cultivate” them via headhunters or cover companies.
Writing to lawmakers, House of Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle said a new MI5 “espionage alert” warned that Chinese nationals were ”using LinkedIn profiles to conduct outreach at scale” on behalf of the Chinese Ministry of State Security.
“Their aim is to collect information and lay the groundwork for long-term relationships, using professional networking sites, recruitment agents and consultants acting on their behalf,” he said.
MI5 issued the alert because the activity was “targeted and widespread,” he added.
The Chinese Embassy in London dismissed the allegations as “pure fabrication and malicious slander” and warned the U.K. against further undermining bilateral relations.
The MI5 alert cited LinkedIn profiles of two women, Amanda Qiu and Shirly Shen, and said other similar recruiters’ profiles were acting as fronts for espionage.
Home Office Minister Dan Jarvis said that apart from parliamentary staff, others including economists, think tank consultants and government officials have been similarly targeted... (MORE - details)