China is ramping up its attacks on Parliament and 'terrorising' MPs, putting the House of Commons on red alert as it returns from recess.
Insiders said the number of state-sponsored cyber hacks that target MPs' emails, contacts and Parliament's network significantly rises during China-related moments in British politics. This includes MP debates on Taiwan or high-profile visits abroad.
MPs have been warned to step up their security measures, such as using burner phones to travel abroad - even to the United States.
Parliamentary authorities are understood to have compiled a list of places where MPs should travel only with burner phones and never take Parliamentary equipment such as laptops.
Sources familiar with the list said this includes Washington DC - because it sees high numbers of cyber hacks - and known spy centres such as Vienna, Berlin and
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China is ramping up its attacks on Parliament and 'terrorising' MPs, putting the House of Commons on red alert as it returns from recess (file image)
British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi shake hands on the former's visit to China last week
Parliament has also advised MPs that they are in danger of being targeted by state actors not just in 'risky' or autocratic countries but in less obvious destinations.
Bob Seely, the Conservative MP who sits on the Foreign Affairs Committee, said: 'It seems likely that China's communist regime is increasing its intimidation of targets in the UK. We need to get wise to the threat and be realistic about Beijing's hostile intent.'
One MP, who is among a number sanctioned by China for criticising its human rights record, said Parliament must do more to raise MPs' awareness of the dangers of cyber hacks - instead of focusing on diversity seminars.