Chinese visitors to UK face device seizures and delays at border

China has lodged a formal complaint with the United Kingdom after British border officers subjected Chinese citizens to extended questioning and confiscated personal electronic devices, including mobile phones. The Chinese embassy in Britain said multiple nationals — among them trade delegates, tourists and people visiting relatives — were hit with long delays during the encounters.

The embassy said British border officials cited provisions of the United Kingdom's Counterterrorism and Border Security Act 2019 when carrying out the searches and questionings.

Key facts

• China has lodged "solemn representations" with the British side
• Those affected include trade delegates, tourists and people visiting relatives
• Phones and other personal devices were confiscated, and travellers faced long delays
• UK Border Force officers cited the Counterterrorism and Border Security Act 2019
• The embassy issued a similar advisory in December

What is happening at the UK border?

According to the Chinese embassy, Chinese nationals arriving at or leaving the UK have been stopped for prolonged questioning by Border Force officers and had phones and other personal devices taken from them. The embassy said it had made a formal representation to Britain and would continue pressing it to end what it described as the arbitrary detention and questioning of Chinese citizens.

Is this new?

No. The embassy issued a similar advisory in December, warning Chinese nationals that British border control might invoke counterterrorism laws to carry out searches of documents, mobile phones, computers and smartwatches, along with prolonged questioning on entry or departure.

Why is this happening now?

The latest complaint came roughly a week after Ken McCallum, director general of MI5, named China in his annual threat update. In a briefing on the previous Tuesday, McCallum said MI5 had issued an espionage alert to the British academic community about a specific Chinese entity posing as a conventional research body, which he said Chinese intelligence services were using to fund projects in Britain in areas including artificial intelligence and cybersecurity.

The Chinese embassy rejected the allegations on the same day, describing them as "pure fabrication and malicious slander" and saying Beijing firmly opposed and strongly condemned them. The embassy said China adheres to non-interference in internal affairs, poses a threat to no country and has no interest in meddling in the UK's domestic affairs.

What this means for travellers

Chinese travellers to the UK should be aware that border officers may question them at length and examine or confiscate personal devices, citing counterterrorism legislation. The embassy urged Chinese travellers to protect their personal property and privacy, stay informed of relevant British regulations and practices, and seek consular help if necessary.

The source does not state how many travellers have been affected or how long devices have been held. No further steps or dates have been announced.