An investigation by The Spectator has detailed a series of espionage incidents across Europe allegedly linked to Chinese state intelligence, underscoring Beijing’s expanding network of cyber and human operations. Authorities in Milan and London have filed charges that point to a structured intelligence-gathering model reaching into defense, technology, and research sectors.
In July, Italian prosecutors arrested Xu Zewei, accused of working with China’s Ministry of State Security and the Shanghai State Security Bureau. Investigators allege that Xu’s activity overlapped with cyber intrusions targeting European health institutions during the COVID-19 period. In a separate UK case, British national John Miller and Chinese citizen Cui Guanghai were charged with facilitating the transfer of controlled military technologies, including radar and encryption systems, to Chinese entities.
According to The Spectator, both cases illustrate how China’s intelligence operations combine digital reconnaissance with conventional tradecraft. Analysts cited in the report note that regional MSS bureaus coordinate industrial espionage and technology acquisition programs through commercial intermediaries and academic partnerships. The investigation also references Britain’s stalled prosecution of two researchers, highlighting procedural barriers under the 1911 Official Secrets Act, which requires proof that an “enemy” benefited from leaked information.
Security officials in multiple EU member states have since warned that limited transparency around espionage cases undermines deterrence. The report suggests that disclosure hesitancy—intended to protect diplomatic relations—has instead constrained information sharing among Western intelligence partners. As European governments tighten export controls and review academic collaborations, counter-espionage policy is becoming a central pillar of national security planning.