“When I expressed my concerns about China’s attitude toward Taiwan, I received a message.”

When did you realize that certain emails were not innocent?

“I was contacted by State Security in September 2021 because there were suspicions about Chinese espionage. I had to hand over my laptop and smartphone, but nothing was actually found. Well, of course they didn’t know what exactly they were looking for. That went unnoticed at the time.

“At about the end of March, I and the 400 other members of IPAC, the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China, learned that an FBI report warned that we too had received hacking emails. I had to hand over all my materials again. In the end it turned out to be three emails. Those emails seemed to come from an international news agency, so I didn’t ask any questions. Moreover, I am on the Foreign Affairs Committee; I just get a lot of emails from all over the world.”

You made it clear that China had already made several attempts to intimidate you. In what ways did that happen?

“The intimidation has been going on since I became chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee. I received several letters in which they tried to intimidate me. When I expressed my concerns about China’s attitude towards Taiwan, I received a letter saying ‘you’re playing with fire‘. And when we held a hearing on the oppression of the Uyghurs, our entire system suddenly collapsed. It was clear that China was not keen on the topic of discussion.”

What do you think China has gained from hacking your laptop?

“I think their goal is mainly to scare us. China wants us to stop our work. For example, the work we do with IPAC. IPAC is an international network of parliamentarians concerned with China. The Chinese government wants to silence us. By hacking they of course come into possession of all kinds of personal data, it is pure intimidation.”

How do you feel knowing that China was watching all this time? Are you now more afraid to speak out about Chinese politics?

“It’s very uncomfortable. But I’m not the only one who has to deal with this, of course. My Walloon colleague Samuel Cogolati (Ecolo) was also hacked.

“We should not let ourselves be frightened, because that is exactly what China wants, and we should not give in to it. Don’t get me wrong, this goes too far for me and I am very sorry for what happened. But my commitment to human rights will not stop.”

You advocate a security agency that protects parliamentarians against digital hacking. How exactly do you see that?

“I have indeed asked the Speaker of Parliament to set up a security agency in collaboration with State Security. I am thinking of security briefings on how parliamentarians can better protect themselves digitally.

“I notice that my European colleagues are much better protected. For example, they receive a certain type of telephone with which they can make calls during foreign trips, which is then returned afterwards. I do everything with my private devices. Parliamentarians who work on delicate foreign themes really need to be better protected. I already asked that in 2021 and I’m asking it again now.”

Finally, do you fear Chinese interference in the upcoming elections?

“It is already a legitimate question. I’m afraid so. It is part of a new world order in which intimidation and espionage are central. I think China will try to influence our elections, but unfortunately I cannot prove that.”