28.2 C
Accra
Sunday, August 3, 2025
WorldWake up to China threat, says ex-MI6 chief Sir Alex Younger

Date:

Wake up to China threat, says ex-MI6 chief Sir Alex Younger

A former head of MI6 says the UK needs to “wake up” to the threat posed by China’s threats to international security.

Western nations are “under the full press of Chinese espionage,” according to Sir Alex Younger, who oversaw the UK Intelligence Service from 2014 to 2020.

In the past week, the US military has shot down four objects, including a balloon believed to be a Chinese spy.

According to Sir Alex, the UK must impose restrictions on the nations it will tolerate because they “behave in an unacceptable way.”

A Chinese spy balloon was shot down by the US military on February 4 after flying over important military locations in North America. The object, according to China, was a weather balloon that went astray.

Since then, the three other “unidentified objects” have been downed across North America.

Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Sir Alex said “this balloon scenario demonstrates there is no trust” between China and western nations.

“This is a gross and really visibly transgression of the sovereignty of many nations.”

The UK must recognise “we’re in a competition” with China, Sir Alex said.

He said: “We need to wake up to this.”

“We need to double down on the strengths that we possess to face this systemic competition that’s going on.”

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has said the government will do “whatever it takes” to keep the UK safe from spy balloons.

On Monday, the prime minister said a “quick reaction alert force” of RAF Typhoon jets was on standby 24/7 to police UK airspace.

[forminator_poll id="710479"]

Latest stories

“Don’t make me and Stonebwoy fight ooo”- Samini warn netizens

Veteran dancehall musician, Samini has warned netizens to resist...

Kanye West’s Heil Hitler song bans him from entering Australia

US rapper Kanye West has been banned from entering...

Agradaa describes moment shared with President Mahama heavenly – Agradaa

Evangelist Patricia Asiedua, popularly known as Agradaa, shared a...

Dada Joe Remix extradited to face romance scam charges in USA

Ghana’s nightlife mogul and alleged crypto kingpin, Nana Kojo...

Govt launches 24-Hour Economy policy today

The government's flagship, 24-Hour Economy Policy, will be launched...

GRA sets July 16 for GHS1 fuel levy implementation

The implementation of the new GHS1 Energy Sector Shortfall...

Related stories

US travel ban against Togo, Libya, others takes effect today

Effective today, Monday, June 9, nationals of twelve countries...

Pakistan: Police in search of over 200 inmates following earth tremor

Over 200 inmates are currently on the run after...

Pope Leo XIV shares canonical acceptance

Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost has officially accepted his election...

Profile of the new Pope – Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost

"Peace be with all of you!" - the first...

Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost named as the 267th Pope, takes the name Pope Leo XIV

Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost has been elected as the...

Black smoke signals end of first day of conclave to elect new pope

A thick column of black smoke rising from the...

Siemens exec and his family involved in fatal Hudson helicopter crash

Tragedy struck New York City on Thursday when a...