Beijing calls UK jailing of Chinese-Britons for spying ‘a farce’

China has strongly condemned the UK's jailing of two dual Chinese-British nationals for spying, calling the verdict a "classic political farce" and urging Britain to correct its "erroneous actions."

Peter Wai, a former UK Border Force official, and Bill Yuen, a retired Hong Kong policeman, were sentenced on Thursday after being convicted of assisting China's foreign intelligence service. The court heard they conducted "shadow policing" on British soil, targeting Hong Kong dissidents and pro-democracy protesters, including prominent campaigner Nathan Law and former Conservative party leader Iain Duncan Smith.

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a classic political farce

Wai, 40, received a 10-year prison sentence, while Yuen, 65, was given eight years. The convictions were secured under the 2023 National Security Act, marking the first case of its kind in the UK.

In response, China's foreign ministry urged the UK to "cease political manipulation against China" and to stop "emboldening and backing anti-China elements who seek to destabilise Hong Kong." The sentencing comes amid heightened tensions between the UK and China, particularly following the implementation of a strict national security law in Hong Kong in mid-2020, which has led many activists to seek refuge in Britain.

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We once again urge the UK side to rectify its erroneous actions, cease political manipulation against China, and stop emboldening and backing anti-China elements who seek to destabilise Hong Kong.