Martin Thorley
@methorley.bsky.social
Book on UK-China shadow international relations: http://tinyurl.com/3ny5c5ee
Senior Analyst at GI-TOC: developing concept of geocriminality.
PhD on shadow international relations. Previously academia. Views my own. Erstwhile 北漂儿
Senior Analyst at GI-TOC: developing concept of geocriminality.
PhD on shadow international relations. Previously academia. Views my own. Erstwhile 北漂儿
Pinned
Martin Thorley
@methorley.bsky.social
· Dec 16
"The suspected Chinese spy banned from the UK amid fears that he was targeting Prince Andrew can be named as Yang Tengbo, also known as Chris Yang." www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c4...
Alleged Chinese spy with links to Prince Andrew named as Yang Tengbo by judge - live updates
Senior Tory Sir Iain Duncan Smith says he could be
www.bbc.co.uk
1/21 After days of speculation about #PrinceAndrew, Pitch@Palace, and links to China, Chris Yang's (Yang Tengbo/ 杨腾波) identity is now public knowledge. As ever, there is more to the story than meets the eye...
Reposted by Martin Thorley
for no reason at all Youtube sent me the Beijing Olympics song "Beijing welcomes you". 78 celebrities from China, HK, TW, Singapore sang the song in 2008. and the comment section, wow, it's all nostalgia.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6gs...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6gs...
北京欢迎你[完整版MV]
YouTube video by shirley3w
www.youtube.com
January 28, 2026 at 9:12 PM
for no reason at all Youtube sent me the Beijing Olympics song "Beijing welcomes you". 78 celebrities from China, HK, TW, Singapore sang the song in 2008. and the comment section, wow, it's all nostalgia.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6gs...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6gs...
Reposted by Martin Thorley
#China #1980s
In case you are not aware of it, you can find my podcasts and historical, China films (8mm) on The G.B. Lee Archive on Youtube.
www.youtube.com/@theg.b.leea...
In case you are not aware of it, you can find my podcasts and historical, China films (8mm) on The G.B. Lee Archive on Youtube.
www.youtube.com/@theg.b.leea...
The G. B. Lee Archive
www.youtube.com
January 25, 2026 at 1:16 PM
#China #1980s
In case you are not aware of it, you can find my podcasts and historical, China films (8mm) on The G.B. Lee Archive on Youtube.
www.youtube.com/@theg.b.leea...
In case you are not aware of it, you can find my podcasts and historical, China films (8mm) on The G.B. Lee Archive on Youtube.
www.youtube.com/@theg.b.leea...
Reposted by Martin Thorley
With news of the Chinese 'mega' embassy approval in London, time to re-up @edwardlucas.bsky.social's review of @methorley.bsky.social's new book, 'All That Glistens' in @thetimes.com
Order your copy at 25% off w/code GLISTENS25 ➡️ tinyurl.com/34wdtpp2
tinyurl.com/2fekbznm
Order your copy at 25% off w/code GLISTENS25 ➡️ tinyurl.com/34wdtpp2
tinyurl.com/2fekbznm
Beware! Britain is selling out to China
Martin Thorley, in All That Glistens, reveals that in Westminster and Whitehall, the City and our universities, Beijing has acquired a ‘critical mass’ of influence
tinyurl.com
January 20, 2026 at 4:46 PM
With news of the Chinese 'mega' embassy approval in London, time to re-up @edwardlucas.bsky.social's review of @methorley.bsky.social's new book, 'All That Glistens' in @thetimes.com
Order your copy at 25% off w/code GLISTENS25 ➡️ tinyurl.com/34wdtpp2
tinyurl.com/2fekbznm
Order your copy at 25% off w/code GLISTENS25 ➡️ tinyurl.com/34wdtpp2
tinyurl.com/2fekbznm
Yesterday evening I joined @yaldahakim.bsky.social to discuss her colleagues’ report on unrest in China as well as transnational repression. One eye on an expected UK PM visit to China later this month.
January 13, 2026 at 3:50 PM
Yesterday evening I joined @yaldahakim.bsky.social to discuss her colleagues’ report on unrest in China as well as transnational repression. One eye on an expected UK PM visit to China later this month.
A photo sent over by a friend - taken at Piccadilly Waterstones in London. First time seeing All That Glistens out in the wild…
@hurstpublishers.bsky.social
@hurstpublishers.bsky.social
December 29, 2025 at 2:55 PM
A photo sent over by a friend - taken at Piccadilly Waterstones in London. First time seeing All That Glistens out in the wild…
@hurstpublishers.bsky.social
@hurstpublishers.bsky.social
Reposted by Martin Thorley
🎙️'As with Russia, an authoritarian state of this nature will push until it encounters resistance.'
@methorley.bsky.social on @lbc.co.uk discussing the latest Chinese hacking scandal and his book All That Glistens: Chinese Party-State Influence in Britain👇
www.globalplayer.com/catchup/lbc/...
@methorley.bsky.social on @lbc.co.uk discussing the latest Chinese hacking scandal and his book All That Glistens: Chinese Party-State Influence in Britain👇
www.globalplayer.com/catchup/lbc/...
Matt Frei on LBC UK - Catch Up | Global Player
Catch up on the last 7 days of shows from Matt Frei on LBC UK
www.globalplayer.com
December 22, 2025 at 3:35 PM
🎙️'As with Russia, an authoritarian state of this nature will push until it encounters resistance.'
@methorley.bsky.social on @lbc.co.uk discussing the latest Chinese hacking scandal and his book All That Glistens: Chinese Party-State Influence in Britain👇
www.globalplayer.com/catchup/lbc/...
@methorley.bsky.social on @lbc.co.uk discussing the latest Chinese hacking scandal and his book All That Glistens: Chinese Party-State Influence in Britain👇
www.globalplayer.com/catchup/lbc/...
Reposted by Martin Thorley
📚🎄 LAST CHANCE: UK customers who order by midnight 17 December can guarantee delivery before Christmas. Our latest December releases & advance stock on January titles included!
👉 hurstpublishers.com
@methorley.bsky.social
@irgarner.bsky.social
@vmallet.bsky.social
👉 hurstpublishers.com
@methorley.bsky.social
@irgarner.bsky.social
@vmallet.bsky.social
December 17, 2025 at 12:30 PM
📚🎄 LAST CHANCE: UK customers who order by midnight 17 December can guarantee delivery before Christmas. Our latest December releases & advance stock on January titles included!
👉 hurstpublishers.com
@methorley.bsky.social
@irgarner.bsky.social
@vmallet.bsky.social
👉 hurstpublishers.com
@methorley.bsky.social
@irgarner.bsky.social
@vmallet.bsky.social
Reposted by Martin Thorley
🎄Our latest December releases are available in time for the holidays. Order by midnight December 15th to guarantee UK Christmas delivery.
👉 hurstpublishers.com
@methorley.bsky.social @irgarner.bsky.social
👉 hurstpublishers.com
@methorley.bsky.social @irgarner.bsky.social
December 13, 2025 at 10:36 AM
🎄Our latest December releases are available in time for the holidays. Order by midnight December 15th to guarantee UK Christmas delivery.
👉 hurstpublishers.com
@methorley.bsky.social @irgarner.bsky.social
👉 hurstpublishers.com
@methorley.bsky.social @irgarner.bsky.social
Reposted by Martin Thorley
#histbookchat #China New arrival! All That Glistens: China Party-State Influence in Britain by Martin Thorley
@methorley.bsky.social from @hurstpublishers.bsky.social
as supplied by Aunty Lesley of Bridge Books
@bridgebooksdromore.bsky.social the shiniest bookseller on the Emerald Isle!!
@methorley.bsky.social from @hurstpublishers.bsky.social
as supplied by Aunty Lesley of Bridge Books
@bridgebooksdromore.bsky.social the shiniest bookseller on the Emerald Isle!!
December 12, 2025 at 10:22 AM
#histbookchat #China New arrival! All That Glistens: China Party-State Influence in Britain by Martin Thorley
@methorley.bsky.social from @hurstpublishers.bsky.social
as supplied by Aunty Lesley of Bridge Books
@bridgebooksdromore.bsky.social the shiniest bookseller on the Emerald Isle!!
@methorley.bsky.social from @hurstpublishers.bsky.social
as supplied by Aunty Lesley of Bridge Books
@bridgebooksdromore.bsky.social the shiniest bookseller on the Emerald Isle!!
Received a special delivery: ‘All That Glistens: Chinese Party-State Influence in Britain’ with @hurstpublishers.bsky.social
Expect to see some reviews and interviews next week.
www.hurstpublishers.com/book/all-tha...
Expect to see some reviews and interviews next week.
www.hurstpublishers.com/book/all-tha...
December 6, 2025 at 9:15 AM
Received a special delivery: ‘All That Glistens: Chinese Party-State Influence in Britain’ with @hurstpublishers.bsky.social
Expect to see some reviews and interviews next week.
www.hurstpublishers.com/book/all-tha...
Expect to see some reviews and interviews next week.
www.hurstpublishers.com/book/all-tha...
One month today, my book 'All That Glistens: Chinese Party-State Influence in Britain' is published with @hurstpublishers.bsky.social. I’m including some of the quotes from the back cover. More info available via the link. www.hurstpublishers.com/book/all-tha...
November 11, 2025 at 11:17 PM
One month today, my book 'All That Glistens: Chinese Party-State Influence in Britain' is published with @hurstpublishers.bsky.social. I’m including some of the quotes from the back cover. More info available via the link. www.hurstpublishers.com/book/all-tha...
Reposted by Martin Thorley
A 2 day mini book tour to promote my new @columbiagr.bsky.social slim volume, Tuesday talk at the Hoover (video already up here www.hoover.org/events/milk-... ) & then Wednesday at @cwclub.bsky.social (event co sponsored by @dissentmag.bsky.social (podcast to come)
The Milk Tea Alliance: Inside Asia's Struggle Against Autocracy And Beijing
www.hoover.org
July 31, 2025 at 4:26 PM
A 2 day mini book tour to promote my new @columbiagr.bsky.social slim volume, Tuesday talk at the Hoover (video already up here www.hoover.org/events/milk-... ) & then Wednesday at @cwclub.bsky.social (event co sponsored by @dissentmag.bsky.social (podcast to come)
1/3 Today is the final day you can get 25% off All That Glistens: Chinese Party-State Influence in Britain with @waterstones.bsky.social @newchinabooks.bsky.social
We’ve started to receive early feedback:
“One of the most important books to have been published on the UK-China relationship”
We’ve started to receive early feedback:
“One of the most important books to have been published on the UK-China relationship”
July 31, 2025 at 12:56 PM
1/3 Today is the final day you can get 25% off All That Glistens: Chinese Party-State Influence in Britain with @waterstones.bsky.social @newchinabooks.bsky.social
We’ve started to receive early feedback:
“One of the most important books to have been published on the UK-China relationship”
We’ve started to receive early feedback:
“One of the most important books to have been published on the UK-China relationship”
Reposted by Martin Thorley
1/3 @waterstones.bsky.social are offering 25% off my book if pre-ordered by Thursday:
All That Glistens: Chinese Party-State influence in Britain.
With @hurstpublishers.bsky.social
All That Glistens: Chinese Party-State influence in Britain.
With @hurstpublishers.bsky.social
July 28, 2025 at 12:15 PM
1/3 @waterstones.bsky.social are offering 25% off my book if pre-ordered by Thursday:
All That Glistens: Chinese Party-State influence in Britain.
With @hurstpublishers.bsky.social
All That Glistens: Chinese Party-State influence in Britain.
With @hurstpublishers.bsky.social
1/3 @waterstones.bsky.social are offering 25% off my book if pre-ordered by Thursday:
All That Glistens: Chinese Party-State influence in Britain.
With @hurstpublishers.bsky.social
All That Glistens: Chinese Party-State influence in Britain.
With @hurstpublishers.bsky.social
July 28, 2025 at 12:15 PM
1/3 @waterstones.bsky.social are offering 25% off my book if pre-ordered by Thursday:
All That Glistens: Chinese Party-State influence in Britain.
With @hurstpublishers.bsky.social
All That Glistens: Chinese Party-State influence in Britain.
With @hurstpublishers.bsky.social
The GI-TOC is hiring in Asia.
Field Coordinators in:
Cambodia,
Laos,
Thailand
Vietnam;
Legal Consultant in Malaysia.
Further details about the positions are available via the link. globalinitiative.net/about-us/jobs/
Field Coordinators in:
Cambodia,
Laos,
Thailand
Vietnam;
Legal Consultant in Malaysia.
Further details about the positions are available via the link. globalinitiative.net/about-us/jobs/
Job opportunities | Careers with the Global Initiative
We always welcome expressions of interest from experts in different forms of transnational organized crime or with a geographic speciality, for limited-time cooperation.
globalinitiative.net
April 28, 2025 at 10:36 AM
The GI-TOC is hiring in Asia.
Field Coordinators in:
Cambodia,
Laos,
Thailand
Vietnam;
Legal Consultant in Malaysia.
Further details about the positions are available via the link. globalinitiative.net/about-us/jobs/
Field Coordinators in:
Cambodia,
Laos,
Thailand
Vietnam;
Legal Consultant in Malaysia.
Further details about the positions are available via the link. globalinitiative.net/about-us/jobs/
A reminder that GI-TOC is running a special issue of our LSE Press academic journal JIED on the topic of geocriminality
We’ll need a short letter of intent by Monday 21 April if you’d like to contribute to the debate on state use of criminality abroad.
globalinitiative.net/announcement...
We’ll need a short letter of intent by Monday 21 April if you’d like to contribute to the debate on state use of criminality abroad.
globalinitiative.net/announcement...
JIED Special Issue: Geocriminality – state instrumentalization of criminality abroad
This special issue will explore the concept and its wide-ranging ramifications for crime and crime prevention. While state instrumentalization of crime in general is as old as statehood itself, the fo...
globalinitiative.net
April 16, 2025 at 2:19 PM
A reminder that GI-TOC is running a special issue of our LSE Press academic journal JIED on the topic of geocriminality
We’ll need a short letter of intent by Monday 21 April if you’d like to contribute to the debate on state use of criminality abroad.
globalinitiative.net/announcement...
We’ll need a short letter of intent by Monday 21 April if you’d like to contribute to the debate on state use of criminality abroad.
globalinitiative.net/announcement...
Reposted by Martin Thorley
1/6 Introducing geocriminality. In my latest short article, I highlight a change we’re witnessing in state instrumentalization of criminality. While states have used criminal networks in various forms since their genesis, this relationship is transforming. globalinitiative.net/analysis/the...
Of kingdoms and crooks: The rise of geocriminality
Globalization, state–crime collaboration and tense geopolitical conditions have given rise to a troubling new phenomenon. More needs to be done to better understand this emerging threat and its implic...
globalinitiative.net
March 18, 2025 at 5:50 PM
1/6 Introducing geocriminality. In my latest short article, I highlight a change we’re witnessing in state instrumentalization of criminality. While states have used criminal networks in various forms since their genesis, this relationship is transforming. globalinitiative.net/analysis/the...
1/6 Introducing geocriminality. In my latest short article, I highlight a change we’re witnessing in state instrumentalization of criminality. While states have used criminal networks in various forms since their genesis, this relationship is transforming. globalinitiative.net/analysis/the...
Of kingdoms and crooks: The rise of geocriminality
Globalization, state–crime collaboration and tense geopolitical conditions have given rise to a troubling new phenomenon. More needs to be done to better understand this emerging threat and its implic...
globalinitiative.net
March 18, 2025 at 5:50 PM
1/6 Introducing geocriminality. In my latest short article, I highlight a change we’re witnessing in state instrumentalization of criminality. While states have used criminal networks in various forms since their genesis, this relationship is transforming. globalinitiative.net/analysis/the...
Reposted by Martin Thorley
👇 Publishing June 10, with a few additions in the form of at least three bits of advance praise, deeply gratifying blurbs by @eosnos.bsky.social Emma Larkin & Thongchai Winichakul
Exciting mail, thanks for the advance copies @columbiagr.bsky.social —& keeping up your tradition of stunning covers
March 8, 2025 at 12:43 AM
👇 Publishing June 10, with a few additions in the form of at least three bits of advance praise, deeply gratifying blurbs by @eosnos.bsky.social Emma Larkin & Thongchai Winichakul
Reposted by Martin Thorley
Not an exaggeration to say this was pound-for-pound the most effective piece of US public diplomacy in China. Twitter was blocked, but U.S. embassy pollution tweets forced Beijing to start publishing its own pollution data, which fed public outrage. Result: millions breathing vastly less toxic air
U.S. Embassies Halt Air Quality Monitoring Abroad
Since 2008, embassies and other diplomatic posts had been publishing data about local air quality. In many countries, it was the only reliable source of such information.
www.nytimes.com
March 4, 2025 at 11:31 PM
Not an exaggeration to say this was pound-for-pound the most effective piece of US public diplomacy in China. Twitter was blocked, but U.S. embassy pollution tweets forced Beijing to start publishing its own pollution data, which fed public outrage. Result: millions breathing vastly less toxic air
Reposted by Martin Thorley
Sheffield has a truly excellent East Asian Studies school that is in danger of downsizing and redundancies. Please sign and share!
I spent some of my best university years at SEAS. Please sign and share: www.megaphone.org.uk/petitions/sh...
Sheffield Uni Needs East Asian Studies!
The University of Sheffield has been a global leader in East Asian Studies since its inception as the national centre for modern Japanese Studies in 1963. Korean Studies was introduced in 1979 and mai...
www.megaphone.org.uk
January 10, 2025 at 11:57 PM
Sheffield has a truly excellent East Asian Studies school that is in danger of downsizing and redundancies. Please sign and share!
Reposted by Martin Thorley
HTS anti-narcotics officers say they found several tons of the drug captagon made by Assad-linked factories and other precursors today. They burned it all while we tried not to breath and recorded tape for @npr.org
January 23, 2025 at 7:05 PM
HTS anti-narcotics officers say they found several tons of the drug captagon made by Assad-linked factories and other precursors today. They burned it all while we tried not to breath and recorded tape for @npr.org
1/21 After days of speculation about #PrinceAndrew, Pitch@Palace, and links to China, Chris Yang's (Yang Tengbo/ 杨腾波) identity is now public knowledge. As ever, there is more to the story than meets the eye...
"The suspected Chinese spy banned from the UK amid fears that he was targeting Prince Andrew can be named as Yang Tengbo, also known as Chris Yang." www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c4...
Alleged Chinese spy with links to Prince Andrew named as Yang Tengbo by judge - live updates
Senior Tory Sir Iain Duncan Smith says he could be
www.bbc.co.uk
December 16, 2024 at 10:20 PM
1/21 After days of speculation about #PrinceAndrew, Pitch@Palace, and links to China, Chris Yang's (Yang Tengbo/ 杨腾波) identity is now public knowledge. As ever, there is more to the story than meets the eye...
Reposted by Martin Thorley
an incident that resembles the "chained woman" scandal emerged recently in China; outrage online seems to have made local govt change their approach
a woman with mental illness was lost 13 years ago. she was recently found and the police initially said she was "taken in" 收留 by a villager. apparently
a woman with mental illness was lost 13 years ago. she was recently found and the police initially said she was "taken in" 收留 by a villager. apparently
December 10, 2024 at 7:56 AM
an incident that resembles the "chained woman" scandal emerged recently in China; outrage online seems to have made local govt change their approach
a woman with mental illness was lost 13 years ago. she was recently found and the police initially said she was "taken in" 收留 by a villager. apparently
a woman with mental illness was lost 13 years ago. she was recently found and the police initially said she was "taken in" 收留 by a villager. apparently