LABOUR admits China is a “persistent threat” to Britain – but still wants to deepen trade relations with Beijing.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy yesterday insisted “not engaging with China is no choice at all”, calling their global power “inescapable”.
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His comments came as the Government published a “China audit” as part of the national security strategy, which warned of rising spying, democracy interference and economic sabotage by Xi Jinping’s regime.
Despite that, the review said the UK will pursue “direct, high-level engagement” with Beijing to boost growth.
Shadow Foreign Secretary Priti Patel slammed ministers for going “cap in hand to China” and backing a “suspicious” plan for a mega-embassy in London.
The plans for the five-acre Royal Mint Court site, next to the Tower of London, have been bogged down in a national security row for years.
A final decision on the embassy will be taken by Deputy PM Angela Rayner’s department.
But Washington yesterday issued a fresh warning over the site, with US congress chiefs saying it could pose a risk to the Five Eyes intelligence alliance, which includes the UK and US.
John Moolenaar and Raja Krishnamoorthi, who lead Washington’s powerful China committee, said: “We have yet to receive credible assurances that the risks posed by the PRC’s so-called mega-embassy in London can be sufficiently mitigated.
“The proposed structure’s size and proximity to sensitive communication cables and financial centres could pose an unacceptable intelligence threat not only for Londoners, but for the UK, Five Eyes, and Europe as a whole.”
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