CHINA will not be placed in the highest threat category of a new foreign influence register, The Sun understands.
Security Minister Dan Jarvis is today due to formally unveil plans to force operatives of overseas powers to declare their activities to the government.
GettySir Keir Starmer and Xi Jinping meeting last year[/caption]
The scheme will be divided into two tiers, including an “enhanced tier” for hostile states that require additional vetting.
But it is understood that China will not be included in this list to avoid a diplomatic spat with Beijing.
Sir Keir Starmer has curried closer relations with China and last year became the first British PM to meet President Xi Jinping in more than six years.
He is expected to visit China later this year, following Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ trip to Beijing earlier this year.
Yet the decision to not put the strongest restraints on Chinese influence will be slammed by hawks including senior Tories.
Former security minister Tom Tugendhat said last year: “The advice from MI5 was very very clear. If China isn’t in the enhanced tier it’s not worth having.”
The foreign influence register was first proposed by the Tories but only adopted by Labour following the scandal over a suspected Chinese spy’s links to Prince Andrew.
At the time Mr Jarvis said: “Mr Jarvis insisted the Government would not hesitate to use “every tool at our disposal” to keep Britain safe – and blamed the Tories for leaving the register plans in disarray.
He said: “Where there are individuals who pose a threat to our national security, we are committed to using the full range of powers available to disrupt them.”
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