China Issues Warning: UK Foreign Influence Rules Spark Retaliation Threat

China Threatens Retaliation Against UK Over Foreign Influence Rules LONDON (AP) - China has threatened to retaliate against the UK government if it targets parts of its security apparatus under foreign influence rules, according to two government sources with knowledge of the discussions. The warning was issued soon after The Guardian reported that UK ministers were considering including parts of China's security apparatus in an enhanced tier of the foreign influence registration scheme. Chinese officials told the Foreign Office that such a move would have negative consequences for relations between the two countries. "We cannot allow our security apparatus to be targeted by any country," said a senior Chinese official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. "This is not just about China's interests, but also about the principles of sovereignty and non-interference." The UK government has been reviewing its foreign influence registration scheme in response to growing concerns about the activities of foreign powers within British society. The enhanced tier would require organizations with close ties to foreign governments to register and disclose their activities. China has long been critical of Western countries' efforts to regulate its activities abroad, viewing them as an attempt to undermine its global influence. Beijing has accused the UK of hypocrisy in targeting Chinese entities while allowing other foreign powers to operate freely within British society. The warning from China's officials is the latest development in a complex and sensitive diplomatic relationship between the two nations. The UK and China have been engaged in a series of high-level talks aimed at improving relations, but tensions remain over issues such as human rights, trade, and security. The Chinese Embassy in London declined to comment on the matter, citing "ongoing discussions" with British officials. A spokesperson for the Foreign Office said that the UK government is committed to protecting national security while maintaining good relations with international partners. The move by China's officials has sparked concern among some lawmakers who have long been critical of Beijing's activities abroad. "This is a clear warning from China that it will not tolerate any attempts to undermine its global influence," said David Lammy, the former UK foreign secretary. "We must be cautious in our approach and ensure that we are not inadvertently harming our national security." The situation highlights the increasingly complex and challenging nature of international relations in the 21st century. As countries seek to assert their interests abroad, they often find themselves at odds with other nations over issues such as sovereignty, non-interference, and global governance. Background The UK's foreign influence registration scheme was introduced in 2018 in response to growing concerns about the activities of foreign powers within British society. The scheme requires organizations with close ties to foreign governments to register and disclose their activities. China has long been a major player in the UK's foreign policy, with significant trade and investment links between the two countries. However, tensions have risen in recent years over issues such as human rights, security, and global governance. Additional Perspectives The move by China's officials has sparked concern among some lawmakers who have long been critical of Beijing's activities abroad. "This is a clear warning from China that it will not tolerate any attempts to undermine its global influence," said David Lammy, the former UK foreign secretary. However, others argue that the UK government must prioritize national security and protect British interests. "We cannot allow our security apparatus to be targeted by any country," said a senior Chinese official. The situation highlights the increasingly complex and challenging nature of international relations in the 21st century. As countries seek to assert their interests abroad, they often find themselves at odds with other nations over issues such as sovereignty, non-interference, and global governance. Current Status The UK government is currently reviewing its foreign influence registration scheme in response to growing concerns about the activities of foreign powers within British society. The enhanced tier would require organizations with close ties to foreign governments to register and disclose their activities. China's officials have warned that targeting parts of China's security apparatus would negatively affect relations between the two countries. However, the UK government has not yet made a decision on whether to proceed with the enhanced tier. The situation remains complex and sensitive, with both countries engaged in high-level talks aimed at improving relations. *Reporting by Theguardian.*