China Detains Foreign Consultant Accused of Spying for UK’s MI6 Intelligence Service

Representational image. AP

China has detained the head of an overseas consulting firm, accusing them of spying on behalf of the British government, thereby drawing attention to an industry that has been under scrutiny due to Beijing’s national security crackdown.

According to a report by Bloomberg, China’s Ministry of State Security (MSS) has revealed that the individual, identified as Huang, allegedly worked for the UK’s MI6 intelligence service and engaged in espionage activities, providing the British government with state secrets and intelligence.

The consulting firm’s name and Huang’s nationality have not been disclosed by the MSS.

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The inquiry highlights Beijing’s ongoing examination of the consulting industry, which has faced increased scrutiny in the past year due to an anti-espionage crackdown. The MSS has frequently accused this sector of leaking classified information, raising concerns among investors who fear that President Xi Jinping’s emphasis on security may hinder foreign capital attraction and economic growth.

As per the report, the Chinese agency MSS stated that MI6 approached Huang in 2015 for intelligence cooperation. Huang was directed by the UK spying agency to travel to China multiple times, collect intelligence, and identify potential assets. The person was trained and equipped by MI6 to carry out espionage activities.

Meanwhile, the British government has claimed that Chinese spies are targeting officials in sensitive positions in politics, defense, and business as part of an increasingly sophisticated spying operation aimed at acquiring secrets, according to Reuters.

Recently, a researcher in the British Parliament denied being a Chinese spy.

China has repeatedly condemned these allegations, with a foreign ministry spokesperson calling them “entirely groundless.”

Foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated during a press briefing, “We urge the UK to stop spreading disinformation and stop political manipulation and malicious slander against China.”

This marks the first time the MSS has accused British espionage on its WeChat account since it started posting in August. The ministry had previously disclosed information about alleged spies cooperating with US authorities.

Security officials conducted a visit and search at the Shanghai office of the expert-research company Capvision in May, alleging that the company was aiding foreign entities in espionage efforts. In August, Chinese authorities imposed a fine on the US due diligence firm Mintz Group for unlawful data collection, following months of office raids in Beijing and the detention of five Chinese employees.

In April, the American consultancy Bain & Co. reported that Chinese authorities had interrogated staff at its Shanghai office.

Beijing has escalated its efforts to combat spying and implemented a new counter-espionage law that took effect last year. This legislation broadens the scope of activities classified as spying, increasing risks for foreign companies.

While China’s formidable spy agency typically operates discreetly, it has recently assumed a more public profile, even launching a comic series based on real-life espionage cases last Sunday.

The MSS has confirmed that consular visits have been arranged following the enforcement of criminal measures against Huang.

With inputs from agencies