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Analysis by the IPAC shows that the covert outposts exist to "cultivate elites, shape debate and suppress criticism of Beijing".
07:02, Mon, Jan 26, 2026 Updated: 07:12, Mon, Jan 26, 2026
The analysis reveals a web of covert operations (Image: Getty)
China has established a spying network consisting of at least 75 outposts across the UK, it has been revealed. Analysis by the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC) shows that the country has embedded agents in universities, businesses and diaspora groups.
The analysis links the organisations to the Chinese Communist Party’s United Front system, an overseas political apparatus used to “cultivate elites, shape debate and suppress criticism of Beijing”. Security services have long warned of the threat of Chinese intelligence operations on the UK with Ken McCallum, the MI5 director general, previously warning of “clandestine, coercive or corruptive … interference activity”. The findings come a week after China was given approval for a new mega-embassy in central London despite the protestations of critics.
The organisations aim to pressure and intimidate dissidents of the CCP (Image: Getty)
Critics have said the huge site near crucial data cables will provide a base for Chinese spying and oppression of dissidents in the UK.
Security minister Dan Jarvis told MPs he was “assured that the UK national security is protected”, and any risks posed by the new embassy were being “appropriately managed”.
More than 80% of the outposts identified by IPAC are described as “talent liaison” or “talent acquisition” stations, with known locations in major UK cities including London and Manchester as well as within UK universities.
Scientists and researchers with access to sites with sensitive technology, intellectual property and strategic expertise are understood to be prime targets for operatives.
The remaining 20% are said to provide legal services or consular-style support, which campaigners warned could breach UK law or international conventions.
It is understood the analysis was previously shared with the Government.
The government has approved plans for a new Chinese 'Super-Embassy' (Image: Getty)
Speaking to The Times, Tom Tugendhat, the former security minister, accused the government of failing to act despite being presented with evidence.
He said: “The government must wake up to the reality of this threat. When I was security minister, we fought hard to get the necessary legislation in place to protect our country.
"It is unacceptable that the government has still not placed China on the ‘enhanced tier’ of the foreign influence registration scheme. We need to give our intelligence service the tools they can use to address these threats to UK national security.”
It comes as the Prime Minister prepares to visit Beijing this week seeking to re-establish a business dialogue of top executives.
The revival of the “UK-China CEO Council” will come as part of the Government’s attempts to pursue a warmer relationship with Beijing, with ministers having given the go-ahead to a vast new Chinese embassy in London.
The business forum was first created in 2018 during the “golden era” of ties pursued by then-Tory prime minister Theresa May.
British firms including AstraZeneca, BP, HSBC, Intercontinental Hotels Group, Jaguar Land Rover, Rolls Royce, Schroders and Standard Chartered are set to take part, Reuters reported, citing three sources familiar with the initiative.
A Home Office spokesperson said: “We take all forms of political interference extremely seriously and we will not hesitate to hold all state threat actors accountable.
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“We will take all necessary measures to protect our national interests, our citizens, and our democratic way of life.”
The Chinese Embassy in London has been approached for comment.
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