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From wind turbines to naval drones: UK media’s persistent ‘China threat’ narrative hype risks eroding mutual trust, expert warns_我的网站

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一 | 　　机动车驾驶证考试是法律规定的国家考试，事关道路交通安全与公共出行安全。

二 |

Illustration: Chen Xia/GT
Recent reports from the Telegraph - that a Chinese wind turbine maker previously barred from the UK under national security pretext is seeking to overturn the decision, and that components in Royal Navy drones allegedly transmitted data to China - represent another episode in which some British media and some politicians have amplified the "China threat" narrative. Chinese experts said some British institutions are projecting their own practices onto China and making unsubstantiated claims about the security risks of Chinese equipment, while political pressures, defense priorities and efforts to preserve Britain's strategic relevance are also shaping the debate. They warn that sustained negative rhetoric could gradually erode mutual trust and complicate UK-China relations.
In March, the Labour banned the Chinese wind turbine maker Ming Yang over so-called "national security concerns," thwarting the company's plans to build a factory in the Scottish Highlands. The company is now attempting to persuade the British government to review that position after Andy Burnham's arrival in No 10 and the appointment of Miatta Fahnbulleh as the new Energy Secretary, according to the Telegraph.
The Telegraph report also cited Aman Wang, Ming Yang's UK head, as saying that "the company's proposed factory could create 1,500 direct jobs, with up to 8,000 more in the supply chain." He added: "We are committed to supporting the growth in every postcode that this government wants to see, to re-industrialisation and to lowering energy bills."
The report claimed the wording appeared to be a direct appeal to Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who pledged to deliver "growth in every postcode" in his first major policy speech after taking office. The report also claimed that the company's potential entry into the UK market triggered "alarm bells", with officials from the Ministry of Defense reportedly fretting that it "would create opportunities for spying."
When asked to comment on UK's moves to block plans by Ming Yang Smart Energy to build a wind turbine factory in Scotland on national security grounds, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said during a press conference on March 26 that China-UK economic, trade and green cooperation is in nature mutually beneficial. Such cooperation should not be viewed as political and security issues.
"It is hoped that the UK will provide a fair, just and non-discriminatory business and investment environment for companies of all countries, including Chinese companies," the spokesperson added.
Ming Yang had not responded to a request for comment from the Global Times as of press time on Monday.
Founded in 1993 and headquartered in Zhongshan, China, Ming Yang Smart Energy is a leading global wind turbine manufacturer and clean energy provider, according to the company's website. The Telegraph previously reported that the company had unveiled plans to build a factory in Scotland to manufacture wind turbine blades for the UK and European markets.
Ming Yang's push for eased restrictions under the new government is a legitimate commercial move. However, certain Conservative-leaning media outlets have used the case to amplify the "China threat" narrative. The case also highlights concerns that the UK has increasingly resorted to so-called national security reviews to restrict Chinese companies and supply chains, Li Guanjie, a research fellow with the Shanghai Academy of Global Governance and Area Studies under the Shanghai International Studies University, told the Global Times.
Prolonged reviews, limited disclosure and the absence of formal rulings can leave firms in regulatory limbo, increasing costs and effectively pushing them out of the market without an explicit ban, said Li.
Also on Sunday, another report from the Telegraph claimed that the cameras on the K3 Scout surveillance drones of the Royal Navy had components made in China which "were secretly transmitting information to a device in the country." The Royal Marines have been using the £12m fleet since March and the Ministry of Defence (MoD) was forced to remove all internet connectivity from the cameras after discovering the breach.
British media coverage of Chinese-made camera components carries distinct Cold War overtones, said Zhang Junshe, a Chinese military affairs expert. He noted that US and UK intelligence agencies have faced allegations of exploiting technical vulnerabilities for intelligence-gathering purposes.
Against this backdrop, Zhang said some Western governments and media are projecting their own historical practices onto China, presuming without evidence that Chinese companies or equipment pose similar risks and repeatedly portraying Chinese technology as a security threat.
Li said some British politicians and government departments may play up national security concerns to bolster the case for higher defense spending, with narrative of China-related threats offering an especially effective way to attract public attention and justify larger budgets.
He added that Burnham is likely to retain the former Starmer administration's framework of "cooperate, compete and challenge" until the next general election amid Britain's constrained national capacity, narrower global ambitions and growing diplomatic focus on Europe. However, continued hyping of China-related security risks may further fuel negative perceptions of China among the British public and business community.
。部分人员受利益驱使，打出“包过”噱头，在驾考中组织作弊，不仅严重破坏考试公平秩序，更给道路交通安全埋下重大隐患，自己也触碰法律红线，最终受到法律严惩。　　记者从济南市槐荫区人民法院获悉，日前该院审结一起组织驾考作弊刑事案件，驾校从业人员赵某伙同钱某等4人共谋驾考作弊牟利，由赵某提供微型视听作弊设备，团伙成员远程看题传答案，以每人4000元至7500元的价格招揽考生作弊。

三 | 经查，该团伙累计组织16人驾考作弊，非法获利近7万元。法院审理认定，5人在法定国家考试中分工协作、多次组织作弊，属情节严重，均构成组织考试作弊罪。

四 | 最终依法判处5人一年至三年四个月不等有期徒刑并处罚金，全额追缴违法所得。法官提醒，驾考无捷径，切勿轻信“包过”骗局，从业者需严守法律底线，考试作弊、组织助考均需承担刑事责任。　　据了解，赵某从事驾驶员培训工作。2023年11月，赵某与钱某等5人共谋组织驾驶员理论考试作弊牟利，赵某负责给考生提供微型视听设备进入考场，钱某等人通过微型摄像头远程看题后，再通过隐形耳机告知考生答案，每次向每名考生收取4000元至7500元不等的费用。

五 | 后来，赵某等人被公安机关抓获，经查，他们先后共组织16人作弊，违法所得近7万元。公诉机关依法将赵某等人起诉至法院。　　法院审理后认为，被告人赵某等5人在法律规定的国家考试中，利用作弊设备多次组织考试作弊，他们的行为均已构成组织考试作弊罪，且情节严重，应予依法惩处。最终，法院依法判决，赵某等人犯组织考试作弊罪，分别被判处有期徒刑三年四个月至一年不等的刑罚并处罚金，责令被告人退缴违法所得。　　法官表示，根据《中华人民共和国道路交通安全法》规定，驾驶机动车应当依法取得机动车驾驶证，机动车驾驶资格考试属于法律规定的国家考试范畴。根据《中华人民共和国刑法》规定，在法律规定的国家考试中组织作弊的，构成组织考试作弊罪，处三年以下有期徒刑或者拘役，并处或者单处罚金;情节严重的，处三年以上七年以下有期徒刑，并处罚金。

六 | 依据《最高人民法院、最高人民检察院关于办理组织考试作弊等刑事案件适用法律若干问题的解释》，多次组织考试作弊的，应当认定为“情节严重”。本案中，赵某等5人分工明确，利用微型摄像头、隐形耳机等设备远程传递试题答案，严重扰乱国家考试管理秩序，已达到“情节严重”的认定标准。法院结合各被告人在共同犯罪中的作用、自愿认罪认罚等量刑情节，依法作出相应判决。　　法官提醒广大考生，应摒弃“包过”“走捷径”的侥幸心理，诚信备考、依规应考，切勿轻信所谓“考试保过”的虚假宣传，否则不仅考试成绩会被作废、被限制报考资格，还可能承担相应不利后果。