U.S. and Allied Lawmakers Demand UK's "48 Group" Open Its Books on Beijing's Elite Capture Network
WASHINGTON — A transatlantic
coalition of lawmakers formally demanded Thursday that the 48 Group Club — a
London-based private organization with 500 members, deep access to the current
British government, and links to an alleged Chinese spy accused of cultivating
the former Prince Andrew — produce records documenting its relationships with
individuals tied to the Chinese Communist Party’s United Front Work Department,
the covert influence arm Beijing uses to groom foreign elites, suppress
dissent, and shape the political environments of democratic nations.
Transatlantic lawmakers, including U.S.
Senators and UK MPs, have formally demanded the 48 Group Club disclose
documents regarding its ties to the Chinese Communist Party's "United
Front" operations. The letter, signed by U.S. co-chairs
of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC) and UK counterparts, warns
that the CCP views the group as a tool for "elite capture" and
narrative shaping in Britain.
Lawmakers specifically requested compliance, risk,
and due-diligence assessments the 48 Group conducted when partnering
with individuals affiliated with the CCP's United Front system. They
argue the group, which boasts over 500 members including prominent British
figures, serves as a networking hub through which Beijing grooms
Britain's elites to advance Chinese strategic objectives.
The 48 Group Club has denied being a vehicle for
Beijing, describing itself instead as an independent body promoting
Sino-British relations, while also taking legal action to block a book
titled Hidden Hand that details these alleged influence
operations. Despite these denials, the group's board has faced
scrutiny over its high-profile connections, including former UK Prime Minister
Tony Blair and Deputy Prime Minister Lord Heseltine, and its role in
facilitating access to Chinese leadership.
Select Committee on China Chairman John Moolenaar (R-MI),
Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and leading UK lawmakers from
the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC) have formally written to
the 48 Group Club to demand transparency regarding the organization’s extensive
ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and its “United Front” influence
operations. The letter targets the organization’s deep-rooted links to
Beijing’s “United Front” influence operations.
Moolenaar and Merkley, who serve as U.S. co-chairs of IPAC,
sent the letter with Sir Iain Duncan Smith MP (IPAC UK Co-Chair, former
leader of the Conservative Party) and Sarah Champion MP (IPAC UK
Member).
In the letter, the lawmakers warn, “United Front work is a
sophisticated blend of engagement, influence, and intelligence operations that
the CCP employs to shape its political environment and advance its strategic
objectives. These operations... seek to influence companies, associations,
universities, think tanks, civic organizations, prominent individuals, and
public opinion worldwide.”
They also write that “The CCP sees the 48 Group as a tool
for its ability to shape British narratives and for elite capture. Reportedly
with over 500 members, the 48 Group has been described as serving “as a meeting
place and networking hub for friends of China, through which Beijing grooms
Britain’s elites.” Given the 48 Group’s political access to the current UK
government—the CCP is incentivized to cultivate influence with the organization
to provide it with channels of leverage over the United Kingdom, its
government, and, by extension, its British and international audience. In turn,
senior leaders of the 48 Group have been on the record repeatedly spouting CCP
talking points and propaganda.”
In conclusion, the lawmakers ask the 48 Group to turn over
documents including, “compliance, risk, and due-diligence assessments that the
48 Group conducted when entering or expanding its partnerships with individuals
affiliated with the CCP’s United Front system.”
https://chinaselectcommittee.house.gov/media/press-releases/transatlantic-lawmakers-demand-transparency-from-uk-48-group-over-ccp-united-front-ties
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