He has become a real thorn in the side of the British royalty: Prince Andrew’s dubious associations are making headlines in the press across the Channel. Already ostracized from the royal family following an accusation of assault on a minor and for his proximity to sex criminal Jeffrey Epstein, the Duke of York is once again at the center of criticism: this time because of his friendship with a businessman suspected of being a Chinese spy. The scandal embarrassed London and angered Beijing.
The supposed agent “H6” revealed his identity himself: his name is Tengbo Yang. Boss of five companies in the United Kingdom, he sought Chinese investors on behalf of Prince Andrew and allegedly took advantage of his friendship with the Duke of York to spy on him for the benefit of Beijing.
Photos show Tengbo Yang alongside the little brother of King Charles III, but also in the good company of former Prime Minister David Cameron. In another photo, published by the BBC, the Chinese businessman poses in Beijing in front of the People’s Palace, during a meeting of the Communist Party, official badge clipped to the pocket of his suit. By exploiting his telephone, the British authorities noted close links between Tengbo Yang and the United Front, this nebulous branch of the Communist Party, which carries out influence and propaganda operations abroad. A “totally false” accusation, according to the person concerned, who considers himself the “victim” of a “change in political climate”. Beijing describes the suspicions weighing on its national as “absurd”.
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China: a threat to national security?
This new scandal reignites the debate in the United Kingdom around Chinese influence. Should we designate China like a “ menace » for national security? “ Oui says Conservative MP Sir Iain Duncan Smith. According to this elected official, sanctioned by Beijing for his critical positions, Tengbo Yang is far from being a “lone wolf”. Thousands of agents have already infiltrated British institutions. Another Chinese woman is also being talked about: the lawyer Christine Lee. She has just lost her case against the British domestic intelligence agency MI5, which she was suing for discrimination. Christine Lee is said to have offered nearly 600,000 euros to a former MP, when he headed a parliamentary group responsible for promoting Sino-British relations, which was dissolved today.
New law to protect the UK from foreign interference
In order to protect the United Kingdom against this interference, a new law, passed in 2023, but repeatedly delayed, should come into force next summer. Each individual and each organization will then have to declare their political activities in favor of a foreign country, which risks further angering Beijing. Meanwhile, the prince’s ex-friend, Tengbo Yang, remains banned from entering the United Kingdom.
Also readUK and China clash over espionage accusations
The new Labor government would have done without this umpteenth affair, especially since the Prime Minister Keir Starmer is in the middle of a charm operation to warm up trade relations with China, while thorny issues pile up. A real dilemma, says the BBC. Last March, London accused China of “cyber-malice”, following hacking of electoral lists. Other angry subjects: the leaden screed imposed by China in the former British colony of Hong Kong, as well as the repression of the Uighur Muslim minority. Latest standoff: Beijing plans to open a monumental embassy on the historic site of the Royal Mint Court in London. Local residents don’t want it – precisely for fear of becoming the target of Chinese surveillance.
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