Published by Global Banking and Finance Review
Posted on November 18, 2025
2 min readLast updated: January 20, 2026
The UK unveils strategies to counter Chinese influence, focusing on political interference, cybersecurity, business protection, and academic safeguarding.
LONDON (Reuters) -Britain's domestic intelligence service, MI5, warned lawmakers and parliamentary staff on Tuesday about Chinese agents who were targeting democratic institutions, including through networking sites.
Security minister Dan Jarvis set out measures to deter "covert and calculated" attempts by foreign powers to interfere with Britain's sovereign affairs and undermine its democratic institutions.
Below are the measures announced:
COUNTER POLITICAL INTERFERENCE
* New legislation to strengthen national security powers andtighten rules on political donations via an Elections Bill * Security briefings for political parties and tailoredguidance for election candidates to help them recognise andreport suspicious approaches * Campaigns to make professional networking platforms a morehostile environment for foreign agents * Measures to disrupt proxy organisations and covercompanies used by foreign states for interference * Investment of 170 million pounds ($223 million) to renewthe encrypted technology that civil servants use to safeguardsensitive workCYBERSECURITY RESILIENCE
* Continued action against China-based actors involved inmalicious cyber activity targeting the UK and its allies * Removal of surveillance equipment made by firms subject toChina's National Intelligence Law from all sensitive UKgovernment sites worldwidePROTECTION FOR BUSINESSES
* Investment of 130 million pounds to help build counterterrorism policing's ability to enforce National Security Actand fund work of authorities who help UK's critical businessesprotect their intellectual property * Working to strengthen economic security advisory serviceto help businesses manage espionage and intellectual propertytheft, following example already set up in the advancedmanufacturing sectorACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS
* Ministers will hold an event with university chiefs todiscuss risk posed by foreign interference($1 = 0.7610 pounds)
(Reporting by Sam Tabahriti and Sarah Young, Editing by Paul Sandle)
Cybersecurity refers to the protection of computer systems and networks from theft, damage, or unauthorized access. It involves implementing measures to safeguard sensitive data and maintain the integrity of information.
Intellectual property theft involves the unauthorized use or reproduction of someone else's intellectual property, such as patents, copyrights, or trademarks, often resulting in economic loss.
National security refers to the protection of a nation's borders, interests, and citizens from threats, including military attacks, terrorism, and espionage.
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