China’s ambassador has been summoned by the UK Overseas Workplace, after three individuals had been accused of helping Hong Kong’s intelligence companies.
In a gathering with Zheng Zeguang, the Overseas Workplace officers condemned a “current sample of behaviour” by China, together with cyber-attacks.
On Monday, three males within the UK had been charged with offences below the Nationwide Safety Act.
Hong Kong referred to as on UK officers to offer “full particulars” of the fees.
China, below which Hong Kong operates as a particular administrative area, has refuted the allegations that town’s intelligence service was concerned.
The Overseas Workplace mentioned it instructed Mr Zheng that the “current sample of behaviour directed by China in opposition to the UK, together with cyber-attacks, experiences of espionage hyperlinks and the issuing of bounties” was “not acceptable”.
In a press release, the Chinese language embassy described the allegations as “groundless and slanderous”.
It mentioned it had complained to the UK authorities about its “wrongful behaviour,” together with the “unwarranted accusation” in opposition to the Hong Kong authorities.
Mr Zheng had “made additional, severe representations to the UK aspect on the UK’s wrongful behaviour, together with its unwarranted accusation” of Hong Kong’s authorities.
Chi Leung (Peter) Wai, 38, Matthew Trickett, 37 and Chung Biu Yuen, 63, are accused of agreeing to undertake info gathering, surveillance and acts of deception that had been more likely to materially help a international intelligence service between 20 December 2023 and a pair of Might.
Mr Wai is a UK Border Power officer and Mr Trickett is a Residence Workplace immigration officer who served as a Royal Marine for six years.
Mr Yuen, also called Billy Yuen, is a retired Hong Kong police officer who now works as a commerce official for the territory primarily based in London.
On Tuesday, Hong Kong’s chief John Lee mentioned he didn’t know Mr Yuen personally after a photograph of the 2 males reported to have been taken in 2002 started circulating on-line and within the media.
Mr Lee confirmed in a information convention that each he and Mr Yuen had been within the picture – reportedly from a commencement ceremony at Australia’s Charles Stuart College – however mentioned “my impression of that individual is simply this picture”.
He additionally instructed reporters that his authorities had requested extra info from the UK authorities in regards to the accusations and was “ready for a reply”.
The three accused males have but to enter pleas and had been granted bail till 24 Might, when they’re attributable to seem on the Outdated Bailey.
District Decide Louisa Cieciora imposed circumstances together with a ten:00 to 05:00 curfew, reporting weekly to their native police station, no worldwide journey and informing police of units used to entry the web.
Downing Road mentioned the fees had been “deeply regarding” and that the prime minister “thanks the police for his or her work holding us secure”.
