Media: UK to stop hiring Chinese to work on warships
The British Navy has dropped the custom of employing Chinese laundry workers on warships over fears they may spy for Beijing, TASS reports
According to The Sun newspaper, hundreds of Chinese laundrymen have worked on British ships since the 1930s. The majority were taken on from Hong Kong. UK authorities have expressed concerns that they could be involved in intelligence activities for China.
The publication reported that three Chinese nationals were prevented from joining HMS Queen Elizabeth, which made a cruise to the Indo-Pacific region in 2021. A fourth Chinese laundryman was let go this month after 39 years of service because his family live in Hong Kong. However, at least four Chinese continue to work because their families live in the UK.
“If it is a question of security, the Navy has no choice. But it's sad as Chinese laundrymen have fought wars with us, some have died for us,” said former First Sea Lord Admiral Lord West (head of the Royal Navy), who held this position from 2002 to 2006.
The Sun claims Chinese workers on warships will be replaced by ethnic Nepalese.
