All That Glistens: Chinese Party-State Influence in Britain

Investigates how Chinese state entities have compromised British business and politics at the highest levels.

‘Insightful, enraging and highly topical’

''Martin Thorley takes a hard look at the Golden Era of Sino-British relations under George Osborne, as Britain tried to bring in Chinese investment into key infrastructure projects and position itself as a banking centre for the RMB. At the same time China tried in a rather clumsy way to infiltrate the British establishment. Many of the initiatives soured as the new government China Audit reveals.''

''A stylish narrative on the rise and fall of Chinese Communist Party political reach in Britain over a decade. The author documents a heady mix of idealism, ideology, and avarice that saw some leading figures sail close to the wind in their courtship of China.''

''Through a well-conceived series of case studies on nuclear energy, financial trading and property, All that Glistens reveals the lucrative and self-serving connections between British politicians and the Chinese state. Thorley''s analysis, that the UK is a corrupt enabler of authoritarian politics makes original and disturbing reading.''

''This is one of the most important books to have been published on the UK-China relationship. It tells a rich story. Thorley demonstrates vividly that the political and security compromises repeatedly fail to translate into economic rewards. The conclusions and case studies remain disturbingly timely and the book deserves a wide readership beyond the China-watching community.''

Investigates how Chinese state entities have compromised British business and politics at the highest levels.

In the 2010s, as China slid deeper into authoritarianism and the UK veered towards political uncertainty, the two countries declared a ''Golden Era'' of relations. This challenge to the established international order came amid rising global concern around Chinese party-state intrusions abroad.

All That Glistens peels away the shiny exterior of the Sino-British ''golden age'' to reveal a relationship built on global capitalism, British corruption and Chinese Communist Party influence over UK affairs--to the disquiet of London''s allies.

Drawing on his years on the ground in Beijing, as well as investigative research using open-source intelligence, Martin Thorley''s timely book sheds light on a murky aspect of international relations. He reveals coordinated Chinese state actions reaching into the heart of Parliament, and the widespread compromise of British politics by Chinese commercial entities--particularly nuclear energy, property development and currency-trading enterprises. Exposing the close connections between Western financialisation and China''s geopolitical interference, this book offers a cautionary tale for all liberal democracies.

• | Author: Martin Thorley
• | Publisher: C Hurst & Co Publishers Ltd
• | Publication Date: Dec 11, 2025
• | Number of Pages:
• | Language:
• | Binding: Hardback
• | ISBN-13: 9781805260073
• | ISBN-10: 1805260073