Media: Chinese tracking sensor found in British government car
In one of the cars used by members of the British government and high-ranking diplomats, a device was found transmitting information about the location. Sources in the UK’s intelligence services believe that Chinese intelligence may be behind the introduction of such sensors into Chinese-made equipment for cars – as reported by TASS with reference to the British media.
According to the newspaper, citing a British counterintelligence officer, because of London’s growing fears about espionage, the vehicles were forensically searched. As a result, a SIM card was found that transmitted information about its co-ordinates.
“This makes it possible to collect information about the government for many months and years, constantly tracking movements, constantly creating a detailed picture of ongoing activities. This can be done slowly and methodically over a very, very long time. This is the vulnerability,” the source said.
Another source, who previously worked in the British security services, suggested that not only Chinese, but also Russian intelligence services could receive information about the movement of British ministers.
According to the former head of the ruling Conservative Party of Great Britain, Iain Duncan Smith, this incident gives the authorities another reason to recognise China as a threat to the United Kingdom.
“The time has definitely come to review the Integrated Review [of UK security, defence, development and foreign policy] and declare China as a systemic threat to the country,” he said, referring to a government document that was published in March 2021 and should be updated soon to take into account the changing situation on the planet.
