The prominent case revealed how former police superintendent Bill Yuen and Peter Wai engaged in covert policing activities within the UK, focusing on Hong Kong dissenters.
China criticized the sentencing of two individuals in the United Kingdom accused of spying on Hong Kong dissidents, labeling it a «political charade» on Friday, and accused the UK of «incorrect procedures.»
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A jury in London found these two men, one a retired Hong Kong police officer and the other a former UK Border Force employee, guilty on Thursday of providing assistance to a foreign intelligence agency after a trial lasting several weeks.
The case brought to light how Bill Yuen, aged 65, and Peter Wai, 40, executed «shadow policing» missions on British territory, aimed at Hong Kong dissidents and pro-democracy activists living in exile.
When questioned about the convictions during a routine press briefing, China’s foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian stated that «China firmly condemns and opposes such actions.»
«The UK’s detention and prosecution of Chinese nationals on unfounded allegations, misuse of legal frameworks, and judicial process manipulation to secure convictions, alongside its open backing of anti-China and Hong Kong-destabilizing forces, coupled with unjust accusations and defamation against China, exemplify a clear political spectacle,» Lin declared.
«We call on the United Kingdom to amend its flawed practices… and preserve the valuable progress achieved in China-UK relations,» he added.
‘Political maneuver’
The defendants’ operations were uncovered in May 2024 after UK law enforcement thwarted an attempted abduction of a former Hong Kong resident from her residence in northern Yorkshire, according to the court proceedings.
Since the implementation of the National Security Law in mid-2020 by the Asian financial center, tens of thousands of Hong Kong citizens, including pro-democracy activists wanted by Chinese authorities, have relocated to Britain.
The Labour government in the UK has aimed to renew diplomatic ties yet encountered some internal resistance.
A prior statement issued on Thursday by an anonymous spokesperson from the Chinese embassy in London described Yuen’s conviction specifically as «merely a political tactic involving legal abuse and judicial manipulation by the UK.»
The statement described the ruling as a «so-called judgment» intended solely to «encourage anti-China elements residing in the UK, who aim to destabilize Hong Kong, as well as to defame the Chinese government.»
«The embassy condemns Yuen’s conviction and has formally protested to the UK side,» the statement read, urging London to «halt this politically motivated anti-China manipulation at once.»
The message also warned that China will «implement necessary actions to resolutely protect its national interests.»
Additional sources • AFP