Allen reports that Chinese officials later told the US-based company’s employees that “the block would be lifted if Zoom agreed to fully abide by Chinese laws and regulations”. Since this was exposed in an FBI indictment, Zoom has increased its transparency, publishing (for instance) requests from governments – but as Allen notes, their research and development offices in China remain open.
Not everything is virtual, or remote. One of the most worrying accounts in Beijing Rules is the story of a young student, Christine Fang, who entered the US and enrolled at California State University in 2011. “Next to nothing,” Allen writes, “is known about her life before she set foot on US soil.” Yet within a year, Fang was President of the Chinese Student Association, and beginning her outreach to local political parties. Only a short time later, Allen suggests, she began a relationship with a budding Democratic politician, Eric Swalwell, who went on to become a US congressman (as he remains today).
According to Allen, “Swalwell has never publicly denied having a sexual relationship with Fang.” He wouldn’t be the only one: American intelligence officials believe that Fang “initiated sexual relations with between 10 and 15 mayors in states across the country”. She was also having regular meetings with Zhang Weiwei, whom the same officials “believe… was, in fact, a Ministry of State Security official – in short, a true spy.” Swalwell only learned the truth about Fang herself on the eve of his appointment to the House Intelligence Committee. He ceased all contact with her, yet as with a magician’s assistant, when the covers came down, nothing remained: in mid-2015, Fang vanished, and has never reappeared.
Beijing Rules sets out a compelling account of China’s interference in our internal affairs. These are not one-offs but co-ordinated actions; here in the UK, the solicitor Christine Lee donated over £500,000 to Labour MP Barry Gardiner, then became the subject of an MI5 “interference warning”. After documenting a clear pattern of interference, Allen ends with a detailed series of suggested responses, including greater public oversight of social media. As she pointedly says: “The path laid out to minimise the effects of China’s authoritarian economic statecraft is clear. All that’s required is the will to act.”
Tom Tugendhat MP is the Security Minister. Beijing Rules is published by John Murray at £25. To order your copy, call 0844 871 1514 or visit Books