UK House of Commons Considers Restricting Chinese Access to Parliament: "Security Is the Top Priority"

In front of Big Ben in central London, England. Photo unrelated to the article content. Photo by Yonhap News.

The UK Parliament is considering measures to restrict access for Chinese visitors.

According to The Telegraph on October 21 (local time), Speaker of the House of Commons Lindsay Hoyle is reviewing ways to strengthen regulations on Chinese nationals entering Parliament.

This move comes in the wake of the 'Chinese spy incident' that sparked controversy in the UK. Two British nationals, Christopher Cash and Christopher Berry, were investigated last year on suspicion of leaking information to Chinese authorities while interacting with Conservative Party members. However, British prosecutors decided not to indict them, citing a lack of grounds for prosecution because the government has not designated China as a 'persistent threat country.'

A spokesperson for the House of Commons stated, "The safety and security of everyone working in Parliament is a top priority," adding, "While we cannot comment on security measures, they are under continual review."

The House of Commons has previously taken action out of concern over Chinese government espionage. In the late 2010s, UK authorities rejected requests from more than 30 Chinese journalists for parliamentary access passes, citing concerns that Chinese intelligence agents could exploit them.

The European Parliament also banned lobbyists from Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei from entering its premises earlier this year. In April 2023, during heightened tensions over alleged human rights abuses in the Xinjiang region of China, the European Parliament restricted contact between its members and Chinese officials.