The Chinese ran their spy operations from an office in central London.

Two men have been sentenced to prison terms for aiding Chinese intelligence operations from an office in central London, according to court proceedings. Bill Yuen, 66, received eight years in prison while Peter Wai was given a decade behind bars for espionage on British soil. The pair were found guilty under the National Security Act of 2023 for assisting a foreign intelligence service. Yuen, who led the office, operated from premises on Bedford Square, helping efforts to locate and forcibly return Hong Kong citizens living in Britain. Wai, 41, faced additional charges for misconduct in public office during his tenure with the UK Border Force. The trial revealed how Yuen tasked Wai with surveillance operations aimed at gathering intelligence on Hong Kong dissidents and even British representatives. Prosecutors described how Yuen used the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) as a base for “shadow police operations.” Activists called on the government to shut down the HKETO after uncovering its role as an instrument for transnational repressive actions by Beijing, according to The Telegraph. Sources from Whitehall noted that the US Congress had already taken measures against three HKETO offices on American soil, including drafting legislation to strip their diplomatic privileges and immunities. Luke de Pulford, executive director of the China Parliamentary Friendship Association, stated that the continued existence of the HKETO in London was outdated, created in recognition of Hong Kong’s “low-profile” status as a semi-autonomous region. He argued that since Beijing imposed national security laws on Hong Kong in 2020, the special status of the HKETO should be revoked because there is now little difference between Hong Kong and China. “If China wants representation in London, it should be through its embassy, not this strange remnant of past times,” he said. “It has been exposed as a spy hub, absolutely, it should be closed.” Despite consistent warnings from British intelligence and security services about the threat posed by China, it appears unlikely the government will close the HKETO or remove its diplomatic protection. Hong Kong claims its economic and trade offices exclusively promote commerce. Following the convictions of Wai and Yuen, the Chinese embassy in London stated the case was nothing more than a political move. “Its sole purpose is to encourage anti-China elements hiding in the United Kingdom who seek to destabilize Hong Kong and defame the Chinese government and the Hong Kong administration,” a spokesperson said. Judge Cheema-Grubb described the actions of the defendants as “intentional, coordinated, and serious,” causing “real and significant harm” to those targeted, leaving them in fear and distress. She characterized Wai’s attitude toward his misconduct as “arrogant,” noting he believed he had the right to act as he pleased. The case uncovered how Yuen and Wai monitored and persecuted targets as part of President Xi Jinping’s “Operation Fox Hunt”, a global extraterritorial campaign offering financial rewards for the forced repatriation of anyone sought by the Chinese state, whether for subversion or fraud. Yuen claimed his role in the office was purely administrative, but evidence presented in court suggested otherwise. As former head of Hong Kong’s police oversight, he effectively performed an intelligence function, acting as Wai’s superior and paying him for surveillance tasks via the office’s bank account. Wai was recruited due to access to valuable information as a border force officer stationed at Heathrow Airport. There was evidence that Wai, who previously worked for the Metropolitan Police, accessed police records as early as 2018. The case continues to highlight the complex interplay between international law, national security, and the challenges of managing diplomatic relations in an era of heightened geopolitical tensions.