China protests UK border searches, phone seizures amid growing espionage tensions

China has lodged a formal representation with the UK after British border authorities subjected Chinese citizens to extended questioning and seizures of personal electronic devices, including mobile phones.

According to a statement from China’s embassy in Britain, multiple Chinese nationals – including trade delegates, tourists and people visiting relatives – have experienced long delays, as well as questioning by Border Force officers and confiscation of phones and other devices.

The embassy said that British border officials claimed their actions were carried out in accordance with relevant provisions of the United Kingdom’s Counterterrorism and Border Security Act 2019.

“China expresses serious concern over this and has lodged solemn representations with the British side,” the embassy said, noting that it would continue to urge Britain to stop the arbitrary detention and questioning of Chinese citizens.

The embassy urged Chinese travellers to protect their personal property and privacy, stay informed of relevant British regulations and practices and seek consular help if necessary.

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A similar advisory was issued by the embassy in December, when it warned Chinese nationals that British border control might invoke counterterrorism laws to arbitrarily search documents, mobile phones, computers and smartwatches, along with prolonged questioning upon entry or departure.

The latest warning comes around a week after Ken McCallum, MI5’s director general, named China in his annual threat update, accusing it of conducting “espionage, coercion or democratic interference”.

In his briefing last Tuesday, McCallum disclosed that MI5 had issued an espionage alert to the British academic community, warning about a specific Chinese entity posing as a conventional research body.

According to McCallum, the organisation was being used by Chinese intelligence services to fund projects in Britain relating to areas such as artificial intelligence and cybersecurity to bolster Beijing’s spying capabilities.

“We shouldn’t be astounded by attempts to spy on us,” he said. “The UK is an innovative nation with many strengths, including in science and research. It would be odd if others weren’t trying to steal some of our advantages.”

The Chinese embassy pushed back on the same day, describing McCallum’s allegations as “pure fabrication and malicious slander,” which Beijing firmly opposes and strongly condemns, it said.

“China strictly adheres to the principle of non-interference in internal affairs, poses a threat to no country and has no interest in meddling in the UK’s domestic affairs.”