Chinese police arrest 'Brit spy' accused of gathering 'state secrets' for MI6
China has arrested an individual they accused of gathering state secrets on behalf of MI6.
The country’s Ministry of National Security has accused the British Secret Intelligence Service of using a consulting firm official, named locally as Huang Moumou, to gather intelligence.
Chinese media reported he acted on instructions from MI6 to enter the country and gather intelligence related to China. This reportedly included identifying individuals who may be susceptible to approaching. Alongside that, it was alleged that he was provided with intelligence training and equipment. It was said Huang provided the UK with a number of state secrets and intelligence.
The Chinese ministry of state security posted on social media about the arrest, claiming the man had been cooperating with the UK since 2015. But no further information was provided on the nature of the intelligence that was gathered, nor when the alleged spy was detained or where they were being held.
The shocking allegations come amid a deterioration in relations between the UK and China. One aspect of this has been British opposition to Chinese investment in the country, especially in power and communication industries where the country's ruling Community Party often exercises strong influence.
British Airways and Virgin Atlantic to fly to China for first time since 2020
London has also been very critical of China's crackdown on political rights in Hong Kong where anti-government protests in 2019 were met with a sweeping national security law and electoral changes. These have largely eliminated any political opposition to Beijing's decrees and silenced freedom of speech in what had been one of Asia's most dynamic societies, as well as a major financial centre.
Whilst China did say state secrets were gathered in the recent announcement, it isn’t clear what exactly this means under China’s opaque political and legal system. Many consulting and advisory firms have been investigated for obtaining data that would ordinarily be in the public record, particularly if they were shared with foreign entities.
The Chinese Ministry of National Security said: "Recently, the national security agency uncovered a case in which the British Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) used personnel from a third country to conduct espionage activities against China. Foreigner Huang Moumou is the head of an overseas consulting agency. In 2015, the British Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) developed Huang Moumou and established an 'intelligence cooperation relationship'.
"Since then, MI6 instructed Huang to enter China multiple times, instructing him to use his public identity as a cover to collect China-related intelligence for British espionage and to identify personnel for MI6 to incite rebellion. MI6 also provided professional intelligence training to Huang Moumou in the UK and other places, and was equipped with special spy equipment for intelligence cross-linking."
The Foreign Office have been approached for comment.
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
