By Elsie Kamsiyochi
Two men, including a British immigration officer, have been found guilty in a landmark London court case involving espionage operations targeting Hong Kong pro-democracy activists living in the United Kingdom.
The verdict is being viewed as one of the most serious cases of alleged Chinese-linked intelligence activity uncovered in Britain in recent years and is expected to further strain already fragile relations between London and Beijing.
Chung Biu “Bill” Yuen, 65, and Chi Leung “Peter” Wai, 40, were convicted at London’s Old Bailey court of assisting a foreign intelligence service connected to Hong Kong and ultimately China. Prosecutors said the pair carried out surveillance operations against dissidents and activists between late 2023 and mid-2024, gathering information on individuals who had fled Hong Kong after the city’s sweeping national security crackdown.
The case drew major international attention because it involved the monitoring of political dissidents on British soil, with prosecutors describing the operation as a form of “shadow policing” conducted on behalf of Hong Kong authorities. Both men denied the allegations throughout the trial, while Chinese officials accused Britain of fabricating the charges and politicising relations between the two countries.
According to prosecutors, the operation targeted prominent members of the Hong Kong diaspora community in Britain, including activists who had openly criticised Beijing and supported democratic reforms in Hong Kong. Some of the individuals under surveillance were already wanted by Hong Kong authorities, who had placed HK$1 million bounties on several overseas activists accused of violating national security laws.
The court heard that the men discussed activists in hostile terms and allegedly referred to them as “cockroaches” in private communications. Prosecutors also presented evidence suggesting that surveillance extended beyond activists to include British political figures and public figures connected to Hong Kong advocacy efforts.
Yuen, a retired Hong Kong police officer, had been working at Hong Kong’s Economic and Trade Office in London at the time of the alleged offences. Wai worked for the UK Border Force and also served as a volunteer officer with the City of London Police. Prosecutors said Wai abused his government position to access confidential information through British immigration databases, obtaining details relating to foreign nationals and dissidents living in the UK.
The jury convicted Wai of misusing official government systems as part of the espionage activities. However, jurors could not reach a verdict on a separate allegation linked to an attempted forced entry into the home of a woman in northern England wanted by Hong Kong authorities on fraud accusations.
The men now face potential prison sentences of up to 14 years when they return to court for sentencing at a later date. British media reported that they are believed to be among the first individuals convicted in the UK for spying on behalf of China.
The case has intensified political tensions between Britain and China, particularly over Hong Kong. Relations between the two countries have remained difficult since Beijing imposed strict national security laws following the massive pro-democracy protests that swept Hong Kong in 2019. Critics say the legislation effectively crushed political opposition and forced many activists to flee overseas, with Britain becoming a major destination for exiled Hong Kong residents.
Although British Prime Minister visited China earlier this year in an attempt to improve economic and diplomatic relations, repeated accusations of Chinese espionage and interference have complicated efforts to rebuild trust between the two governments.
Following the convictions, Britain announced it would summon the Chinese ambassador for discussions over the case. Security officials in London have increasingly warned that Chinese intelligence operations inside the UK are becoming more aggressive, particularly against dissidents, lawmakers, researchers, and political institutions.
The trial also renewed attention on the mysterious death of Matthew Trickett, a former Royal Marine and immigration officer who had been charged alongside Yuen and Wai before being found dead shortly after the case became public. Authorities said his death was not being treated as suspicious, though it added another layer of intrigue to the already sensitive investigation.
Hong Kong activist , who prosecutors said was among those targeted, reacted to the verdict by saying the convictions confirmed fears long held by members of the Hong Kong community in Britain.
“For years, members of the Hong Kong diaspora in the United Kingdom have lived in fear,” Lau said in a statement after the verdict. “Today’s conviction confirms that fear was real.”
The convictions are likely to deepen debate inside Britain about national security, foreign interference, and the balance between maintaining economic ties with China while addressing growing concerns over espionage and political intimidation.
Source: Reuters
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