China’s ambassador to the UK has been summoned to the Foreign Office after three people were accused of spying for Hong Kong.
The Foreign Office said it was “unequivocal in establishing that the recent pattern of behavior directed by China against the UK, including cyber attacks, reports of spying links and the issuing of bounties, is not acceptable.”
A spokesman said the ambassador, Zheng Zeguang, was recalled on the instructions of Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron following the men were charged under the National Security Law with assistance to Hong Kong’s intelligence service and foreign interference.
Chi Leung (Peter) Wai, 38, Matthew Trickett, 37, and Chung Biu Yuen, 63, appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Monday.
It is alleged that between December 20, 2023 and May 2, Yuen, Wai and Trickett agreed to undertake intelligence gathering, surveillance and acts of deception likely to assist a foreign intelligence service.
It is also alleged that they forced entry into a residential address in the UK on 1 May.
The “rewards” mentioned by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs refer to money provided for information leading to the arrest of foreign citizens, something the Hong Kong government offered in July and December 2023.
See more information:
China hacked Ministry of Defense
A custody van with the three men accused of espionage arrives at Westminster Magistrates’ Court. Photo: PA
Alicia Kearns, chair of the foreign relations committee, said the Chinese ambassador’s summons was “a relief to hear and long overdue.”
“Hostile interference on UK soil is a serious issue for which we should have absolutely zero tolerance,” she said.
“We must be absolute on this with all countries.”
The Chinese embassy in London on Monday denied all allegations, strongly condemned the UK’s “unjustified accusation” and said the UK had carried out a “series of accusations against China” with the allegations about Chinese spies and cyber attacks “unfounded and slanderous”.
“It must be emphasized that Hong Kong has long since returned to China. Hong Kong is China’s Hong Kong. The United Kingdom has no right and is not in a position to point fingers and interfere in Hong Kong’s affairs,” he added.
During the brief court hearing, the three men were granted bail and told they would appear at the Old Bailey on May 24.
China ‘certainly’ behind Ministry of Defense cyber attack
District Judge Louisa Cieciora said they must comply with conditions including a curfew from 10pm to 5am, report weekly to the local police station, not travel abroad and inform police about devices used to access the internet. .
Trickett, Yuen and Wai were charged following an investigation led by officers from the Met’s counter-terrorism command, in which 11 people were detained.
Eight men and one woman were arrested by officers on May 1 in the Yorkshire area, before a man was arrested in London and another man was arrested in the Yorkshire area the following day, the force said.
The seven men and one woman who were not charged were released from custody until May 10.
This story originally appeared on News.sky.com read the full story
