Chinese Spies Used Belgian Politician for Influence Operations

On 7 December 2023, the Financial Times reported that Chinese intelligence recruited Frank Creyelman, a former Belgian senator, as part of an operation to influence European politics and divide Western alliances. The Ministry of State Security (MSS) officer, Daniel Woo, directed Creyelman over three years to sway discussions on topics like Hong Kong’s democracy and the Uyghurs in Xinjiang. Woo’s goals included undermining the US-European relationship and disrupting pro-Taiwan events. This operation was revealed through text messages obtained from a Western security source. Creyelman, who did not respond to contact attempts, was involved in assignments ranging from influencing European Parliament members to using intermediaries to sway public opinion. The case highlights China’s extensive influence operations, as noted by Western security agencies and experts. While Creyelman had limited success in these tasks, the revelations underscore the scope and methodology of Chinese espionage, particularly in Europe.