'China wants to rewire the global order...a frustration in the national security community is that people don't see quite how big the threat is'

But when it comes to the wider public, a frustration within the national security community is that people don't see quite how big the threat is.

- 

It's certainly different from those posed by Russia, and Iran, who are directly involved in assassination, kidnap, sabotage and arson conspiracies.

But Labour has undoubtedly got itself in a complete mess over China this week.

For months they have sought closer ties, while simultaneously saying they stand up to China. Then, when the Director of Public Prosecutions asked for them to provide a bit more evidence that China was indeed a threat to national security, the Government refused.

It's a position that has baffled many in Westminster, particularly when the witness statement by Deputy National Security Adviser Matthew Collins stated: "The UK Government identified a pattern of malicious cyber activity by Chinese state-affiliated organisations and individuals targeting democratic institutions and Parliamentarians as part of large-scale espionage campaigns that had taken place during that time."