China has reported another instance of alleged espionage, claiming that the British Secret Intelligence Service, commonly known as MI6, engaged a foreign national in China to gather secrets and information. This disclosure from China’s Ministry of State Security, posted on its WeChat social media account, adds to the ongoing tense exchanges between the two nations, marked by accusations of espionage posing threats to their respective national securities.
According to the Chinese authorities, a foreigner identified only by the surname Huang, who headed an overseas consulting agency, formed an “intelligence cooperative relationship” with MI6 in 2015. The incident further exacerbates the strained relations between China and the United Kingdom over espionage allegations. the British Secret Intelligence
After that, M16 instructed Huang to enter China several times, and instructed him to use his public identity as a cover to collect China-related intelligence for British spying, the statement said.
MI6 also conducted professional intelligence training for Huang in Britain and other places, and provided special espionage equipment for intelligence cross-linking, China’s government said.
“After careful investigation, the state security organs promptly discovered evidence of Huang’s involvement in espionage activities, and took criminal coercive measures against him,” the government said.
The consulting agency was not disclosed by the Chinese government.
Meanwhile, the British government has said Chinese spies are targeting its officials in sensitive positions in politics, defence and business as part of an increasingly sophisticated spying operation to gain access to secrets.
Recently, a researcher in Britain’s parliament denied he was a Chinese spy.
China repeatedly condemned the assertions with a foreign ministry spokesperson saying they were “entirely groundless.”
We urge the UK to stop spreading disinformation and stop political manipulation and malicious slander against China,” said foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning when queried at a press briefing.
China has been cracking down on perceived threats to its national security, revealing several cases of spying that it caught in recent years.
The government also has been warning its citizens in the country and abroad of the dangers of getting caught up in espionage activities. It has been encouraging people to join counter-espionage work that includes creating channels to report suspicious activity.