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23h ago

MI5 Warns MPs of China-Linked Recruitment on LinkedIn as UK Unveils Counter-Interference Plan

The alert names two purported headhunter accounts tied to China’s security service, prompting a package to strengthen political safeguards.

MI5 said that Shirly Shen, left, of the Internship Union, and Amanda Qiu, of BR-YR Executive Search, used their LinkedIn profiles to pose as headhunters but were controlled by Chinese intelligence services
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Overview

  • Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle shared an MI5 espionage alert warning that profiles for Amanda Qiu and Shirly Shen are being used on LinkedIn to contact Westminster on behalf of China’s Ministry of State Security.
  • MI5 says the goal is to gather information and cultivate long-term access through outreach to people with non-public insights across Parliament and connected circles.
  • Tradecraft described in the alert includes cover companies, false personas, paid trips to China, and payments for reports or insights in cash or cryptocurrency.
  • Security Minister Dan Jarvis announced a Counter Political Interference and Espionage Action Plan with security briefings, tighter donation risk checks, stronger Electoral Commission powers, cooperation with platforms, and £170m to upgrade secure government technology.
  • The Chinese embassy rejected the claims as fabricated, as the warning follows the collapse of a UK spying case involving alleged Chinese activity and a pending decision on a proposed Chinese embassy in London.