Staff at UK defence companies were instructed to leave their mobile phones outside a hall during Wes Streeting's inaugural speech as Defence Secretary at the Farnborough International Air Show, amid concerns over potential Chinese espionage. The event, held in Hampshire, featured more than 20 Chinese firms exhibiting, prompting heightened security measures for personnel working at List X companies, which hold classified government contracts.

The directive to ban phones from the venue was intended to mitigate the risk of sensitive information being captured or transmitted. Former military intelligence officer Phil Ingram questioned the presence of Chinese firms at the event, suggesting their participation could facilitate intelligence gathering on other exhibitors. "Why are Chinese firms allowed? They’ll gather intelligence on all other exhibitors," Ingram said.

Despite these concerns, the UK Government maintained a stance welcoming Chinese participation in the air show, emphasizing openness to international engagement. The Farnborough event is a major platform for showcasing aerospace and defence technology, attracting global industry players, including those from China.

The contrasting views highlight ongoing tensions between security precautions and diplomatic engagement in the context of defence industry events involving Chinese companies. While the Government acknowledges the risks posed by espionage, it continues to support international trade and cooperation within regulated frameworks.