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China on Tuesday rejected allegations that businessman Yang Tengbo used his ties with Britain’s Prince Andrew to spy for Beijing, dismissing the claims stating that “accusations of so-called Chinese espionage are preposterous”.
A spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry Lin Jian said, “The development of China-UK relations is in the common interests of both countries and is also conducive to promoting world economic growth and responding to global challenges.”
“It is hoped that the United Kingdom will work with China to accumulate more positive factors and demonstrate the two countries’ innate character of cooperation, mutual benefits and common wins,” he added, news agency AFP reported.
The controversy follows recent revelations about Andrew’s connection with Yang, a businessman and alleged spy who has been banned from Britain. The Chinese national, referred as “H6” in British espionage and media circles. H6 is believed to be among more than 40,000 operatives linked to the department operating across the globe.
Addressing the issue during a visit to Norway, Prime Minister Keir Starmer acknowledged the UK’s concerns about the “challenges that China poses” but defended his approach of “engagement” with Beijing.
‘Done nothing wrong or unlawful’
Yang, 50, who reportedly received n invitation to Andrew’s birthday celebration, released a statement on Monday declaring his innocence stating that he had “done nothing wrong or unlawful”, and had “fallen victim” to a changing “political climate”
Earlier Yang had denied these allegations stating that: “I have done nothing wrong or unlawful, and the concerns raised by the home office against me are ill-founded. The widespread description of me as a ‘spy’ is entirely untrue.”
His lawyer, Guy Vassall-Adams, sidelined the claims and confirmed Yang waived his anonymity to defend his reputation.
‘No sensitive matters were ever discussed’
Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, confirmed that he “ceased all contact” with a businessman accused of being a Chinese spy after concerns about the individual were brought to his attention.
According to a statement from his office, the Duke met the individual, identified only as H6, through “official channels,” and no sensitive matters were ever discussed.
What are the allegations?
Yang as been accused by Britain’s Home Office of working for the United Front Work Department (UFWD), a branch of China’s Communist Party known for cultivating relationships with influential figures worldwide. Authorities claim Yang engaged in “covert and deceptive activity” on behalf of the UFWD, posing a significant threat to national security.
Britain’s domestic intelligence agency, MI5, argued that Yang represented a security risk, and judges upheld this view, dismissing his appeal. The Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC) revealed that in 2021, authorities uncovered documents highlighting Yang’s close ties to Prince Andrew, the younger brother of King Charles III.
In February 2023, Yang was removed from a flight from Beijing to London and subsequently banned from entering the UK. Earlier on Thursday, SIAC upheld the ban, bringing Yang’s connections to Prince Andrew to light for the first time.
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