Spotlight | China, France, United Kingdom
Christine Lee's spy network used pro-Xi Jinping tycoon Jonathan Choi's business connections

China
Zhi Gong party called on to play expanding role in growth of Chinese influence

As he begins his third term of office, Xi Jinping plans to rely increasingly on the Zhi Gong party to strengthen his influence in China and abroad. The party has the advantage of being able to produce officials who are loyal even if they do not have formal membership of the Chinese Communist Party.

Spotlight | China, United States
US plans tactical intel releases to counter China

A reform under discussion in the US Congress includes proposals not only to develop intelligence-gathering and analysis but also more offensive measures aimed at exposing corruption and breaches of international law by Beijing.

China, France, Germany
Continental European analysts muscle into UK's China bailiwick

In France and Germany, several corporate intelligence firms are beginning to find their place by specialising in China. Until now, British firms had cornered this market.

China, Ukraine
In Kyiv, Chinese state security conveys Beijing's offer to mediate

The Guoanbu is continuing behind-the-scenes negotiations in Kyiv to try to convince the US and the EU to negotiate with Russia and Ukraine, along the lines of six-party talks used for North Korea.

China, France
Mystery surrounds pseudonymous co-author of paper detailing MP's links to Beijing

In March, much of the French press picked up a story first published in an academic paper that pointed to ties between China and Buon Tan, who has a seat in the National Assembly and is a member of Emmanuel Macron's party.

China, United Kingdom
United Front expands soft power with new operations centre in London

The Chinese Overseas Foundation, which typically operates through non-profit associations based in China, has decided to open a London centre.

China
Christoph Nedophil Wang, academic promoter of China's new silk roads

With their persuasive strategy of infrastructure and new tech partnerships, the government-run Belt and Road Initiative research centres in Beijing and Shanghai confirm China's growing interest in building its position in the Middle East.

United Kingdom
Westminster wants own counterintelligence

The Security Intelligence & Risk Analysis Service (SIRAS) is being set up a month after MI5 warned about supected Chinese agent Christine Lee. This move also comes as foreign interference in British politics has become one of parliament's major concerns.

The Intelligence Gazette
CIS, UK counter state threats bill, Palestine-Algeria

Appointments, reforms and the issues at stake: every Monday, Intelligence Online serves up snippets big and small from the global intelligence community from London to Paris via Moscow.

Palestine-AlgeriaMaster spy Noureddine Mekri takes a stab at Palestinian reconciliation

United KingdomChristine Lee affair sparks Tom Tugendhat's push for draft bill on counter state threats

Russia'Compatriot' think-tank receives award

Spotlight | United Kingdom
UK's counter state threats bill worries investigators and lobbyists alike

London, the influence and corporate intelligence capital of the world, wants to adopt a form of foreign agent registration, a measure that could jeopardise a number of contracts being negotiated behind doors.

United Kingdom
BEIS arms British government against economic warfare

Thanks to the twin arsenal of the new Investment Security Unit (ISU) and the National Security Strategic Investment Fund (NSSIF), Britain's Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) is becoming an economic intelligence war machine, with MI6's help.