UK summons Chinese envoy over ‘interference’, espionage

Chi Leung Wai leaves Westminster Magistrates’ Court in central London, Monday May 13, 2024. Three men have appeared in a London court on charges that they helped the Hong Kong intelligence service gather information in Britain amid growing concern that hostile states are trying to interfere with democracy and economic activity in the U.K. Chi Leung (Peter) Wai, Matthew Trickett, and Chung Biu Yuen, were granted bail during a brief hearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Monday. (Yui Mok/PA via AP)

LONDON — The UK government said on Tuesday it had summoned China’s ambassador Zheng Zeguang, a day after three people were charged in the latest Beijing-linked alleged espionage case.

The foreign ministry was “unequivocal in setting out that the recent pattern of behavior directed by China against the UK, including cyber-attacks, reports of espionage links and the issuing of bounties, is not acceptable”, a spokesperson said.

The ministry said that the summons followed Monday’s announcement that three people had been charged with assisting Hong Kong’s intelligence service.

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Chi Leung Wai, 38, Matthew Trickett, 37, and Chung Biu Yuen, 63, all from southeast England, were released on bail.

The Hong Kong government said in a statement that one of the three men charged was the manager of its trade office in London.

China’s foreign affairs commissioner in its territory of Hong Kong “strongly condemned” the UK for “cooking up charges” and accused it of a “vicious intention to interfere” in Hong Kong’s affairs.

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The office warned that Britain would receive “China’s firm and strong retaliation”.

The UK has been outspoken about the Hong Kong government’s new national security law, which it views as eroding the territory’s rights and freedoms.

It has repeatedly denounced the treatment of pro-democracy campaigners in the former British colony, and launched a visa scheme to allow Hong Kong residents to come to the UK.

As a result, it has become a refuge for dissidents, including prominent pro-democracy politician Nathan Law.