China Mobile, a state-owned telecoms company sanctioned by the US over national security concerns, is expected to attend a China-UK Business Council summit in Shanghai where it could meet Sir Keir Starmer and other UK ministers. The visit — which includes planned talks with Xi Jinping and Li Qiang — has been clouded by hacking and surveillance fears, prompting the UK delegation to use temporary devices. The council includes other firms that have faced US restrictions and more than 100 companies are due to participate.
Sanctioned China Mobile Invited To Shanghai Summit Amid Spy Fears During Starmer’s China Visit
Sir Keir Starmer’s visit to China has been overshadowed by claims that Beijing hacked Downing Street mobile phones and spy fears over the new London ‘super embassy’
China Mobile, the state-owned telecoms giant that has been sanctioned by the United States over national security concerns, is expected to attend a China-UK Business Council summit in Shanghai where it could meet Sir Keir Starmer and other members of the UK delegation.
Summit And Delegation
Reuters reports that China Mobile will be among more than 100 companies taking part in events organised by the China-UK Business Council, a body set up in 2018. Executives from participating firms are scheduled to hold talks with Sir Keir, Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Business and Trade Secretary Peter Kyle. Before the business meetings in Shanghai, Sir Keir is due to meet President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang in Beijing.
Sir Keir Starmer and his delegation arrived in China on Wednesday - Carl Court/via AP
Security Concerns
The visit has been overshadowed by espionage and surveillance worries. Recent media reports allege that Chinese actors targeted Downing Street mobile phones and raised concerns about potential spying linked to the new London "super embassy." Because of these fears, reports say members of the UK delegation have left personal devices at home and will use temporary "burner" phones and laptops while travelling.
Why China Mobile Is Controversial
In 2021 China Mobile was placed on US restrictions related to national security and foreign investment. The company has been accused by US authorities and commentators of enabling the Chinese state's intelligence and military objectives—allegations the company has disputed. The broader concern stems in part from China’s National Intelligence Law (2017), which can require companies to provide information to state authorities for national security reasons.
The British and Chinese flags flutter next to the Tiananmen Gate, alongside a portrait of Mao Zedong - Maxim Shemetov/Reuters
Related Sanctions And Industry Context
Other Chinese firms named on US lists in recent years include telecoms and state-owned enterprises. The US Federal Communications Commission has previously concluded that certain Chinese carriers are vulnerable to government influence and exploitation. The China-UK Business Council’s revival for this visit includes members such as Huawei and ZTE (the UK has already banned ZTE outright and is progressively removing Huawei equipment from parts of its 5G network), as well as China Telecom and China Communications Construction Company—both of which have faced US sanctions linked to alleged ties with the Chinese military. The Telegraph reported it could not confirm whether those companies would meet the British delegation directly.
Who Else Is Attending
China Mobile is listed among firms expected at the summit alongside major Chinese banks and industrial groups, including the Bank of China, China Construction Bank, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, China Railway Rolling Stock Corporation, China National Pharmaceutical, and electric-vehicle maker BYD.
International Engagement
Earlier this month, Mark Carney—former governor of the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England—visited China and met with senior executives from several Chinese companies, including the Bank of China, EV battery maker Contemporary Amperex Technology, and the China National Petroleum Corporation.
Note: Some details, such as which companies will take part in one-to-one meetings with UK ministers, remain unconfirmed and are being reported by news outlets.
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