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The News
- Recently, MI5 has issued a rare warning that an alleged Chinese agent has infiltrated Parliament to interfere in UK politics.
What did MI5 say?
- Recently, MI5 issued a note to UK Parliament.
- House of Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle said that MI5 believes that Christine Ching Kui Lee, a Chinese origin individual, has been trying to improperly influence British MPs on behalf of the CCP.
- Currently, Lee’s whereabouts are unknown, had allegedly transferred donations to politicians, with funding provided by foreign nationals in China and Hong Kong.
Who is this Lee?
- Christine Ching Kui Lee is a UK-based solicitor, whose law firm Christine Lee & Co solicitors, has worked closely with the Chinese Embassy in London.
- She was able to build herself a solid reputation in Westminster for helping Chinese-British cooperation, and has been praised by the likes of former UK PM Theresa May for her efforts.
- As per official records, Lee is a British national.
Who is this Lee?
- The 58-year-old Lee has been lauded for setting up the British Chinese project, a non-profit which aims to promote engagement and understanding with the Chinese community in the UK.
- Later she also set up an All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) at Westminster, which received thousands of pounds worth of funding.
- Her efforts were also recognised in China, where she is hailed for bringing “dignity and self-confidence to overseas Chinese”, a Chinese state media report stated.
- She was also invited to participate in the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.
Who did she fund?
- Over the years, Lee has made generous donations to top parliamentarians, including Labour MP Barry Gardiner and his constituency party. Her son was also hired by Gardiner’s office as a policy researcher.
- According to the Labour Party, Lee’s law firm has made political donations of over £600,000 to Gardiner’s office, the first of which was made in 2015. Lee’s son had resigned following the MI5 warning.
- Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey also received a £5,000 donation when he was serving as energy secretary.
How did China respond?
- China has denied the allegations, accusing MI5 of launching a campaign of “smearing and intimidation” against the Chinese people in the UK.
- “China always adheres to the principle of non-interference in other country’s internal affairs”. “We have no need and never seek to ‘buy influence’ in any foreign parliament. We firmly oppose the trick of smearing and intimidation against the Chinese community in the UK.”
Chinese Track Record
Chinese Track Record
MI5 Warning Before
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