Britain's domestic intelligence agency MI5 Tuesday warned that China was trying to recruit parliamentarians through spies disguised as headhunters, amid concern over Beijing's activities in the UK.

There have been heightened fears about Chinese espionage in the UK after a politically sensitive case against two alleged spies was dropped, and as the government mulls a request from Beijing to build a controversial new embassy building in London.

"Earlier today, MI5 issued an espionage alert" to parliament and parliamentary staff "to warn them about ongoing targeting of our democratic institutions by Chinese actors", security minister Dan Jarvis told the House of Commons.

"Our intelligence agencies have warned that China is attempting to recruit and cultivate individuals with access to sens

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