European Parliament warns of China-linked hybrid threats to Europe

The European Parliament this week adopted a statement calling for intensified efforts to counter hybrid threats originating from other countries. In the document, lawmakers specifically highlighted the threat posed by China to European democratic values, warning of growing espionage risks linked to the country.

Methods of obtaining sensitive information

The statement notes that foreign states use a variety of methods to obtain sensitive information from European institutions and society. One method mentioned is the organization of seemingly educational events, which in reality can serve as a tool for gathering information or spreading influence more broadly.

The European Parliament views this practice as part of a wider hybrid-threat strategy through which third countries attempt to undermine European democratic institutions and security. The statement is seen as part of the European Union's broader efforts to resist foreign influence and espionage, a topic that has become increasingly prominent in EU security policy debates in recent years.

The document does not spell out specific countermeasures that would be implemented in response to this warning, but its adoption signals that EU institutions consider the issue significant enough to formally record at the political level.