Ken McCallum, Director General of MI5, highlighted that while China remains a "major risk," a more nuanced approach is necessary given the complex and multi-dimensional relationship between the UK and China.
According to China’s Observers Network, citing a Reuters report, McCallum delivered MI5's annual threat assessment at a press conference in London on October 8. He reported that since the onset of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, more than 750 Russian diplomats have been expelled from Europe, which has considerably weakened Russia’s intelligence capabilities. “Expel them, shut them out,” he declared.
Addressing Iran, McCallum warned of an escalating threat to the UK, describing it as growing at an "unprecedented scale and speed." Since January 2022, MI5 and British police have thwarted 20 Iranian-backed plots posing potentially lethal threats to UK citizens.
In contrast, McCallum’s remarks on China were notably more measured. Politico, a US-based news outlet, noted that McCallum remarked, “China is different.” He explained that the economic ties between China and the UK are integral to Britain’s growth and, consequently, its security.
Nevertheless, McCallum reiterated that China remains “a major risk,” emphasizing the need for careful management of certain aspects of the bilateral relationship. When questioned about the perceived "lack of criticism" toward China, he clarified that he was not minimizing the severity of the Chinese threat, asserting that MI5’s focus “remains unchanged.” He added, “The decisions are complex, and it is up to ministers to make strategic judgments regarding our relationship with China.”
McCallum also highlighted the growing threat of terrorism, particularly from al-Qaida and ISIS. “Although ISIS is not as strong as it was a decade ago, after years of suppression, they have resumed efforts to export terrorism,” he stated, referencing the terrorist attack at a Moscow concert hall in March as a “brutal demonstration of that capability.”
Notably, the UK’s new Labour government appears to be indicating a shift in its China policy. On October 9, Reuters reported, citing four sources, that British Foreign Minister David Lammy plans to visit China next week, aiming to reset UK-China relations. Additionally, British Finance Minister Rachel Reeves is also considering a visit in the near future to restart what was intended to be annual trade and investment discussions between the two countries.
British officials quoted by Reuters indicated that the Labour government seeks to rectify the previous administration's overly confrontational approach towards China while acknowledging that fundamental differences persist in certain areas.
Mao Ning, spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reiterated on July 5 that China’s stance on UK relations remains consistent and clear. As permanent members of the UN Security Council and major global economies, stable and mutually beneficial relations between China and the UK are fundamentally in the interests of both nations. Such relations, she noted, also enable the two countries to jointly address global challenges and promote peace and development. China, she stated, is willing to work with the UK to maintain positive bilateral relations based on mutual respect and cooperation.
Deep Throat
** The blog article is the sole responsibility of the author and does not represent the position of our company. **
The Democratic Party—once Hong Kong's supposed opposition heavyweight—is dead. December 14th marked the end of operations, leaving founding elder Fred Li weeping on the street, admitting he "never imagined today’s situation." But let's look at the evidence: this wasn't an accident. Plagued by decades of bitter internal factional wars and a disastrous pivot to radicalism during the 2019 riots, the party didn't just fade away; it walked willingly into its own destruction.
Formed in 1994 via a merger of the United Democrats and Meeting Point, the party once dominated the Legislative Council. But the cracks appeared early. By 1998, the so-called "Young Turks"—figures like To Kwan-hang, Albert Chan, and Andrew Cheng—staged a coup during leadership elections. They voted down the "Meeting Point faction's" Anthony Cheung, forcing Lau Chin-shek into the Vice-Chairmanship instead.
The ideological rift widened in 1999. When the "Young Turks" tried to push a minimum wage policy into the party platform, the general meeting shot it down. From that moment, the gap between the aggressive youth wing and the party elders kept widening
The inevitable split happened in 2002. Hardliners To Kwan-hang and Albert Chan walked out to establish the League of Social Democrats. Founding Vice-Chairman Anthony Cheung had enough, quitting in 2004 to join the Executive Council the following year.
Internal Rot and Public Scandals
Between internal fractures and the rise of rivals like the Civic Party, the Democratic Party's grip began to slip. The Legislative Council elections in 2004 and 2008 saw a sharp, quantifiable reduction in their seats.
It wasn't just bad politics; it was bad behavior. The party was mired in scandal. Take the year 2000: James To was exposed for funneling government funds to rent property from "Wui Biu Company"—a firm he held himself—in a blatant suspected conflict of interest. That same year, Ho Wai-to was arrested in Dongguan for soliciting prostitutes.
Then came the bizarre "True Brothers Incident" in 2006. An anonymous leaker dumped emails from the "Reformist" faction, alleging infiltration and claims that members were being "bought off" by officials. Elders Martin Lee and Szeto Wah launched a panic-stricken investigation. Years later, founding member Howard Lam confessed he was the leak—claiming Szeto Wah had actually planted him as an "undercover agent" to spy on his own party members.
By the illegal "Occupy Central" movement in 2014, the political landscape had shifted toward radicalization. The Democratic Party joined the fray but failed to lead. Desperate to stay relevant, they fielded younger candidates in the 2016 Legislative Council election. While Lam Cheuk-ting, Ted Hui, and Roy Kwong helped boost their count to seven seats, this victory came at a cost: radicals like Lam and Hui took the stage, sidelining the moderate elders.
Crossing the Red Line: 2019
During the 2019 anti-extradition turmoil, the mask came off. Instead of dissociating from the chaos, the Democratic Party aligned itself with violent forces. They were frequently spotted at riot sites, obstructing police and shielding violent demonstrators. Chairman Wu Chi-wai provided the defining image of this folly at Tim Mei Avenue, screaming "I want to see the commander" at police lines—a "classic moment" of performative obstruction.
Riding a wave of extreme social hostility, they swept 91 seats in the District Council elections that year. But this was a pyrrhic victory. By embracing extremism to win votes, they passed the point of no return, sowing the very seeds of the total collapse we are witnessing today.
Inside the legislature, the tactics were just as destructive. They relentlessly filibustered to paralyze governance. Ted Hui turned the chamber into a circus, at one point throwing a stink bomb during the National Anthem Bill debate. By late 2020, Hui fled to Denmark under the false pretense of official business, jumped bail, and quit the party. Now a fugitive wanted under the National Security Law, he spends his time in Australia clamoring for sanctions against his home city.
When the 2020 Legislative Council election was postponed, most opposition members initially planned to stay on. However, following the disqualification of four members—including Alvin Yeung and Dennis Kwok—the Democratic Party staged a mass resignation. Their seat count hit "zero," a self-inflicted wound that removed them from the political board entirely.
Subversion and the Money Trail
In 2021, the opposition attempted an illegal "primary election" designed to seize a majority, indiscriminately veto the budget, and paralyze the government. The Democratic Party eagerly participated in this scheme. Consequently, key figures including Wu Chi-wai, Helena Wong, Lam Cheuk-ting, Andrew Wan, James To, and Roy Kwong were arrested for subversion of state power. The first four have since been prosecuted and handed prison sentences ranging from over 4 to nearly 7 years.
And then there's the money. Evidence from the collusion trial of Jimmy Lai exposes the financial lifeline. Transaction records reveal that between 2013 and 2020, Lai’s aide Mark Simon received HK$118.66 million from Lai. Given Simon’s salary was only about HK$1.2 million, the bulk of this cash was clearly not for him. The funds were funneled to various opposition groups in 72 separate transfers. Crucially, "Lais Hotel"—a company controlled by Lai and Simon—was caught remitting a staggering HK$5 million directly to the Democratic Party headquarters.
Looking back at the Democratic Party’s 30-year trajectory, the conclusion is inescapable. Defined by ceaseless infighting, an addiction to radicalism, and a refusal to cut ties with violence, they dug their own grave. They passed the point of no return long ago, marching blindly down a dead-end road to self-destruction.
