IN response to growing national security concerns amid heightened tensions with China, the royal Navy has opted to replace some of its remaining Chinese nationals with Nepali personnel in the shipboard laundry service, reports Fort Lauderdale's Maritime Executive.
For nearly a century, the Royal Navy has employed Chinese citizens as laundry staff, dating back to the interwar period.
However, they are now parting ways with a small number of the remaining Chinese employees, while at least four of them have successfully undergone security clearance reviews and will continue their service.
The Chinese staff who retained their clearances have been able to do so, in part, because their families have relocated to the UK, affording them a measure of safety from potential interference by the Chinese government.
Notably, China's security agencies are known to exert pressure on overseas Chinese nationals, including employing coercive measures on family members who reside in China.
Overseas Chinese nationals are also susceptible to direct influence efforts. Both the US and UK governments have identified China's operation of a network of overseas secret police stations, which includes several locations in the UK until their recent closure.
The Chinese employees who did not pass the security review have been released from their positions and will be replaced by Nepali Gurkhas, according to reports from The Sun.
'If it is a question of security, the Navy has no choice,' said former First Sea Lord West.
'But it's sad as Chinese laundrymen have fought wars with us, some have died for us.'
SeaNews Turkey
For nearly a century, the Royal Navy has employed Chinese citizens as laundry staff, dating back to the interwar period.
However, they are now parting ways with a small number of the remaining Chinese employees, while at least four of them have successfully undergone security clearance reviews and will continue their service.
The Chinese staff who retained their clearances have been able to do so, in part, because their families have relocated to the UK, affording them a measure of safety from potential interference by the Chinese government.
Notably, China's security agencies are known to exert pressure on overseas Chinese nationals, including employing coercive measures on family members who reside in China.
Overseas Chinese nationals are also susceptible to direct influence efforts. Both the US and UK governments have identified China's operation of a network of overseas secret police stations, which includes several locations in the UK until their recent closure.
The Chinese employees who did not pass the security review have been released from their positions and will be replaced by Nepali Gurkhas, according to reports from The Sun.
'If it is a question of security, the Navy has no choice,' said former First Sea Lord West.
'But it's sad as Chinese laundrymen have fought wars with us, some have died for us.'
SeaNews Turkey
