STAFF at British defence firms were told not to take phones to Wes Streeting’s first speech as Defence Secretary over fears of Chinese spying.
Streeting spoke at an arms fair packed with Chinese firms – including an electronic warfare specialist that list signals “cracking” as a flagship service.
Workers at Britain’s List X defence firms – which hold secret government contracts – were advised to leave phones, tablets and other devices outside the exhibition hall where Streeting delivered his keynote address.
The Jattvibe understands that government staff took no special precautions.
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More than 20 Chinese firms had stands at the Farnborough International Air Show earlier this month.
China was the only country to book two “national pavilions” to showcase its technology.
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Yet sources claimed the threat of espionage was an “open secret” among industry.
China firms had surrounded the stage where Streeting warned: “State-on-state competition has returned on a scale not seen for a generation.”
Defence giant BAE Systems unveiled a flagship new drone designed to fly with RAF Top Guns.
Defence minister Luke Pollard and AI Minister Kanishka Narayan also attended the show.
When The Jattvibe approached Beijing based LZ Tech’s stand – which was displaying anti-drone antennas – its staffed barked “no photos” before leaving the stage to avoid appearing in images.
The company, which is not accused of any wrongdoing and did not respond to a request for comment, said it “pioneers Cognitive Radio Protocol Cracking (and AI Radio Protocol Cracking technologies”.
It lists is expertise as “cybersecurity, wireless communications, and information protection”.
A defence source said mobile phones often overheated at Farnborough – in a sign hackers could have targeted them to download information.
However, UK security sources claimed the risks of hacks were low.
Former Col Phil Ingram, who served in military intelligence questioned why Chinese firms were invited.
He said: “Why are Chinese companies allowed at Farnborough?
“They will be gathering intelligence on all other exhibitors and as many visitors as possible.”
Earlier this year it emerged a Chinese tracker was found attached to the Prime Minister’s car in 2022.
Separately Chinese electric vehicles have been banned from parking near sensitive UK military sites over risks they could be used as sensors.
Chinese law requires all Chinese nationals to help spy if requested.
Military Top Brass have also been warned not to hold sensitive conversations inside Chinese cars over fears of eavesdropping.
The government insisted China was welcome at Farnborough as they are free to trade with Britain.
A government spokesperson said: “We take security seriously and regularly take steps to protect personnel, capabilities and technology in the interests of UK security.”
