Security Threat from China 2024-04-15
2024-04-15
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
No specific background event or statistic is mentioned; it focuses on the general security concern.
What recent assessment he has made with Cabinet colleagues of the level of the security threat from China?
Let me be clear that the hostile activity we have seen from Chinese authorities and state-affiliated groups poses a serious threat to the security and wellbeing of the British people. The Deputy Prime Minister spoke about the pattern of malign activity, including targeting parliamentarians and malicious cyber-campaigns by Chinese state-affiliated actors.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The questioner mentions the hacking of MPs' email accounts in March, highlighting a two-year delay in FBI informing the government about security breaches.
Why has it taken two years for us to be told about a serious security breach? Will he now, with his colleagues in Cabinet, make sure that China is absolutely treated and labelled as a threat?
We face threats from around the world, many of them emerging out of Beijing today. The reality is that we are not shying away from answering this. However, on FIRS, it is being looked at.
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Assessment & feedback
specific commitment to label China as an absolute threat and timeline for actions regarding FIRS
Being Looked At
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The questioner criticises the government for not providing up-to-date information on Chinese state activities affecting parliament.
Why are we only ever told about things that happened years ago? If we are to take these issues seriously, we surely have to have an up-to-date and present account of the activities of the Chinese state.
When there is a reason to act quickly, we do. As was the case with Christine Lee, where payment of money to a certain Member of this House was involved, exposing it fast was necessary.
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Assessment & feedback
providing up-to-date information on recent Chinese state activities affecting parliament
Reason To Act Quickly
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The Biometrics and Surveillance Camera Commissioner highlighted the use of Chinese-made equipment as a vulnerability for policing and security services.
Can the Minister say whether the digital asbestos of Chinese-made technology is still used in our policing and security infrastructure?
Fraser Sampson's work was important to ensure 'digital asbestos' is got out of our institutions. It has been removed from the most secure sites, but there are other areas where there is work to do with potential for electric vehicles to be turned into mobile intelligence-gathering platforms.
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Assessment & feedback
clear commitment to remove all Chinese-made technology
Work Ongoing
Potential For Future Issues
Response accuracy