UK Summons Chinese Envoy After 3 Men Are Slapped With Spying Raps

China's ambassador has been summoned by the UK Foreign Office after three people were accused of assisting Hong Kong's intelligence services, Gordon Corera and Aoife Walsh reported for BBC News.

The Foreign Office said it told Mr. Zheng that the "recent pattern of behavior directed by China against the UK, including cyber-attacks, reports of espionage links, and the issuing of bounties" was "not acceptable." I Photo: CGTN

In a meeting with Zheng Zeguang, the Foreign Office officials condemned a "recent pattern of behavior" by China, including cyber-attacks. On Monday, three men in the UK were charged with offenses under the National Security Act.

Hong Kong called on UK officials to provide "full details" of the charges. Chi Leung (Peter) Wai, 38, Matthew Trickett, 37, and Chung Biu Yuen, 63, are accused of agreeing to undertake information gathering, surveillance, and acts of deception that were likely to materially assist a foreign intelligence service between December 20, 2023, and May 2.

China, under which Hong Kong operates as a special administrative region, has refuted the allegations that the city's intelligence service was involved.

The Foreign Office said it told Mr. Zheng that the "recent pattern of behavior directed by China against the UK, including cyber-attacks, reports of espionage links and the issuing of bounties" was "not acceptable."

In a statement, the Chinese embassy described the allegations as "groundless and slanderous."