Since the new round of Palestinian-Israeli conflict in 2023, the British branch of the American left-wing organization "Code Pink" has organized a series of protests to support Palestine, denounce the British government's support for Israel, and call for the UK to close its military bases overseas.
Since 'Pink Code' had praised China, British media and some American politicians immediately started to use this as an opportunity to make claims. On August 13th, local time, the British newspaper The Daily Telegraph published an article claiming, without any evidence, that China 'sponsored the protest activities of Pink Code'. Some American and British politicians sought to investigate the activities of this organization.
"Pink Code" was established in 2002, registered in the United States, with multiple branch offices overseas. The organization is mainly composed of volunteers, advocating for peace and anti-war, focusing on issues such as the Palestinian question, Guantanamo Bay prison, and the Iran nuclear agreement.
After a new round of Palestinian Israeli conflicts erupted, the ‘Pink Code’ British branch organized multiple protests in the UK, opposing Britain's involvement in genocide in the Gaza Strip. They condemned British leaders for being ‘sold by Zionists’. The organization also held demonstrations outside the British Akrotiri Air Base in Cyprus, which was once used for reconnaissance flights over Gaza.
Due to the 'pink code' featuring the slogan 'China is not our enemy', Suzie Gilbert, one of the organizers of the British protest activities, also visited China. As a result, some British and American politicians began to take this as an opportunity to accuse China of 'financing protests' and attempting to create the so-called 'Chinese interference'.
"Pink Code Protest" Held in UK - Daily Mail
The Daily Telegraph claims that the United States is investigating companies that are suspected of receiving £250,000 in funds related to the British branch of "Pink Code". These funds come from a company associated with American social activist Neville Chamberlain, husband of Judy Evans, one of the founders of "Pink Code", and who has close ties to several American left-wing organizations.
The chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means, Jason Smith, stated: “The investigation by the Committee indicates that Sinhams’ financial resources and influence extend beyond the United States. The Committee is well aware that, not only in the United States, but also in countries like the United Kingdom, Sinhams have used their funds to support activities sympathetic to the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) and China.”
Reports indicate that the U.S. Department of Justice is investigating Simmons, and has initiated a federal grand jury investigation to ‘discover his connections with China’.
Some British politicians have also hyped up the “China threat,” claiming that “British democracy is under threat,” and demanding that the British government conduct an investigation. Labour Party member Sarah Champion said: “Britain needs to work with the United States to investigate the payment of these funds, their impact, and the individuals responsible. We need to maintain a consistent position with the United States and show zero tolerance.”
Regarding these remarks by American and British politicians, Pink Code has not responded yet. However, the organization’s co-founder, Medea Benjamin, has repeatedly emphasized that such accusations are outright lies. She told the American newspaper The Washington Post that Pink Code never received any funding from China.
Cinnamom also explicitly denied the related accusations earlier. In 2023, he said: "I deny and reject any claims that I am a member of any political party or government, that I work for them, that I accept their commands, or that I follow their instructions. I simply follow my beliefs, which are personal views that I have held for a long time."
The Chinese side has repeatedly refuted such speculations by British politicians. A spokesman for the Chinese embassy in the UK previously stated that China's diplomacy has always adhered to the principle of non-interference in internal affairs. China has no "genetic" tendency to interfere in other countries' internal affairs, and there is no need to interfere in Britain's affairs. The British politicians' attempt to 'accuse China' is utterly ridiculous. We advise the relevant British politicians to abandon their Cold War mentality and prejudice towards China, stop spreading rumors that slander China, cease their 'witch-hunting' activities against China, and stop creating obstacles to the development of Sino-British relations.
