Rishi Sunak has conceded that “further investment” and more government action is needed to help the UK combat the challenge China poses to Britain’s security, prosperity and values.
The prime minister’s admission came in a government response to a damning report published in July by parliament’s intelligence and security committee, which found Britain’s approach to China’s “increasingly sophisticated” spying operations in the UK was “completely inadequate”.
The government acknowledged in the response there was more work to be done to tackle “Chinese recruitment schemes” that have tried to “headhunt” Britons with sensitive knowledge and experience in government, the military and industry.