The Prime Minister is under fire from members of his party after reports emerged that China will be excluded from the toughest tier of the UK’s new security laws.
The move has sparked concerns that the government is overly lenient toward Beijing, despite fears about its influence on Britain’s national security.
Under the new Foreign Influence Registration Scheme (FIRS), foreign agents operating in the UK will be required to disclose who they work for, their activities, and the timeline of their engagements. The scheme is structured into two tiers: one for general political lobbying and an enhanced category for states deemed a direct security threat.
While Russia and Iran are expected to fall under the strictest tier, sources indicate that China will not be subjected to the same level of scrutiny.
The decision has drawn sharp criticism from Conservative figures. Shadow Foreign Secretary Priti Patel called the exemption “extraordinary and reckless.” She warned that it undermines national security at a time when China continues to pose a threat to British interests. “In a desperate rush to think China can solve the self-inflicted economic woes of his government, Starmer is putting Britain at risk,” Patel stated.
Her concerns echo those of former Home Secretary Suella Braverman, who last month called for China to be placed in the highest security category under FIRS.
The government’s stance on China has been complicated by its trade ambitions. Chancellor Rachel Reeves has expressed willingness to have “uncomfortable conversations” with Beijing’s leadership. However, she faced backlash earlier this month for visiting China while the UK economy struggled.
Adding to the controversy, Sir Keir Starmer recently appointed Emma Reynolds as the new City Minister at the Treasury.
Reynolds, a former treasurer of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on China, previously lobbied to soften restrictions on Chinese business activity. Reports suggest she also campaigned against placing China in the enhanced tier of FIRS.
Security Concerns vs. Economic Interests
Critics argue that exempting China from the highest level of scrutiny is a politically motivated decision aimed at preserving economic ties. A government source told The i Paper that business and diplomatic circles do not expect Beijing to face harsher restrictions.
Meanwhile, MPs across party lines are likely to push back. The Foreign Office is currently conducting an audit of UK-China relations, following a strategy of “cooperate, compete, and challenge.” The review could potentially influence a reassessment of China’s security classification.
Ken McCallum, the head of MI5, has previously endorsed FIRS, emphasizing that it would make it “harder and riskier” for hostile states to conduct covert operations in the UK and interfere with British democracy.
However, the Home Office has refrained from confirming which countries will be subjected to the strictest measures. A spokesperson stated: “It would not be appropriate or helpful to speculate about which countries might be specified on the enhanced tier.” They added that final regulations will be laid out “as soon as possible.”
With mounting political opposition and ongoing scrutiny over national security risks, the government may find itself under increasing pressure to reconsider China’s classification under the new laws.
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