Zheng Zeguang is believed to be meeting with officials rather than Lord Cameron, the Foreign Secretary. Photo: Jamie Lorriman
The Foreign Office summoned the Chinese ambassador for a reprimand on Tuesday after three people were charged with spying for Hong Kong.
Zheng Zeguang was called to a meeting with officials, not Lord Cameron, the Foreign Secretary or any other government. ministers. The ambassador was indicted on charges of foreign interference on British soil.
Lord Cameron is said to have personally signed the challenge.
But the Chinese embassy hit back, issuing a warning statement. that Rishi Sunak's government is following a «dangerous path» that could jeopardize relations between the two countries.
Chee Leung Wai, 38, Matthew Trickett, 37, and Cheung Biu Yuen, 63, were charged on Monday in foreign interference and assistance to a foreign intelligence service.
Yuen, also known as Billy Yuen, is a former Hong Kong police officer who now works as a Hong Kong trade representative in London. Vai, known as Peter, is a UK Border Force officer and Trickett is an immigration officer who served for six years in the Royal Marines.
The three men did not enter pleas and were bailed until May 24 when they are due to appear before the Old Bailey.
The summons from Mr Zheng, who has been China's ambassador to the UK since 2021, was first reported by The Telegraph.
A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) spokesman said: «Today, on instructions Foreign Minister, the Chinese Ambassador has been summoned to the FCDO.»
«The FCDO has stated unequivocally that China's recent pattern of behavior against the UK, including cyber-attacks, reports of spy links and bounties, is unacceptable.»
p>“The call follows an announcement on Monday. that three people have been charged with offenses under the National Security Act as part of an investigation carried out by officers from the police counter-terrorism department. The Foreign Intelligence Service to which the allegations relate belongs to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.»
But this claim was refuted by a statement from the Chinese Embassy, which included a number of counterclaims.
Part of the embassy statement read: “During the meeting, Ambassador Zheng made further serious statements to the UK. parties about UK misconduct, including unfounded accusations against the [Hong Kong] government, and rejected the British side's excuses.
“He was clear that the UK must stop anti-China political maneuvers and not go further down a dangerous path, jeopardizing Sino-British relations.»
The statement added: “Ambassador Zheng called on the British side to immediately correct its wrongdoings, stop interfering in China's internal affairs, stop spreading lies about the so-called 'China threat', stop provoking China, and stop arbitrarily enforcing laws against Chinese citizens. in the UK.»
The statement warning the government said: «We want to make it clear to the British side that any move to interfere in China's internal affairs and undermine our interests will be met.» with a firm response.
“The British side should not go further down a dangerous path, jeopardizing Sino-British relations.” Discussing the charges against the three men, the Prime Minister's spokesman said the UK is «continuously monitoring possible avenues of espionage» and has taken «unprecedented action» by passing the National Security Act to «deter states from acting against the UK».
A Chinese embassy spokesman called the accusations a “fabrication” and an “unfounded accusation” against Hong Kong.
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