China Accuses UK Intelligence of Recruiting Couple as Spies.
By Caroline Ameh
China on Monday accused the UK’s intelligence agency of recruiting a couple as spies, marking the latest development in a series of tit-for-tat allegations between Beijing and Western powers in recent months.
According to China’s Ministry of State Security, the two Chinese government employees, identified as Mr. Wang and Ms. Zhou, were successfully recruited after MI6 operatives exploited Wang’s “strong desire for money.”
Wang, initially targeted while studying in the UK under a Sino-British exchange program in 2015, allegedly convinced his partner Zhou to join him as a British spy.
The accusations come in the wake of the UK charging two men with spying for China, a move denounced by Beijing as “malicious slander.”
Furthermore, a former Royal Marine, allegedly assisting the Hong Kong intelligence service, was found dead in the UK earlier this month, adding to the strained relations.
The Ministry of State Security claims that MI6 operatives took “special care” of Wang, inviting him to dinners and tours to understand his interests and weaknesses.
They allegedly befriended him on campus under the guise of being alumni and engaged him in “paid consulting services.” Through Wang, MI6 also purportedly recruited Zhou, who held “core confidential roles” in an unnamed state agency.
Beijing did not disclose how it uncovered the case involving Wang and Zhou, citing only a “thorough investigation.” The couple’s fate remains uncertain as the investigation continues, with Chinese officials refraining from mentioning potential charges.
Chong Ja-Ian, a scholar at Carnegie China, noted the lack of clarity surrounding Beijing’s decision to publicize the case, suggesting it could be a form of retaliation or part of past espionage crackdowns. However, without more information, verifying the claims remains challenging, given the opacity of China’s judicial system, particularly concerning espionage cases.
The Ministry of State Security has been issuing frequent updates on its official channels since its launch in August. In January, it warned citizens against “exotic beauties” luring them into foreign spy agencies’ hands and cautioned against photographing military equipment.
As tensions escalate between China and the West, both sides attempt to dissuade others from attending upcoming events, with Ukraine’s president warning China against crossing red lines amid the South China Sea standoff.
Additionally, a court acquitted two defendants in a related case, citing uncertainty about their involvement in the alleged scheme.
