PM Sunak raises concern over interference in UK democracy with China’s Li.

After the reported arrest of two accused spies, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak claimed he expressed concerns about Chinese influence in Britain’s parliamentary system with Chinese Premier Li Qiang during a G20 conference in India.

The Sunday Times claimed a British Parliament researcher was detained for espionage in China.

Sunak told reporters he had voiced “his very strong concerns about any interference in our parliamentary democracy, which is unacceptable,” with Premier Li, but he could not discuss the probe.
London’s Metropolitan Police said two individuals detained in March under the Official Secrets Act were given bail until early October.

Foreign Minister James Cleverly’s trip to Beijing last week may jeopardize Sunak’s efforts to talk with China.

Sunak’s Conservative administration has attempted to warm ties with China, working with Beijing on climate change while criticizing it on human rights.
Sunak said he voiced differences, but the discussion proved the benefit of interacting “where it makes sense.”

“I think the right thing to do was engage, raise concerns specifically, rather than just shouting from the sidelines,” he added.

The Chinese meeting summary did not address the eavesdropping claim. Still, it hailed Britain’s increasing practical cooperation with China, adding that Li stressed that “the two sides should properly handle their differences.”
After the arrests, the Chinese embassy in the UK said the claims were false and that China condemned them.

“The so-called claim that China is suspected of stealing British intelligence’ is completely fabricated and malicious slander,” the embassy wrote on its website, asking parties to halt “self-directed political farce” and anti-China political manipulation.

Conservative politician and China critic Iain Duncan Smith said Beijing’s stance gravely questioned Sunak’s approach.

“I don’t see a conversation. I believe it’s a pitiful monologue: “China-sanctioned Duncan Smith said Times Radio. “China is ignoring much of what we say.”