Chinese ambassador summoned to Foreign Ministry after three espionage accusations

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The Foreign Ministry summoned China's ambassador to a meeting after three people were accused of spying for Hong Kong.

< p>Zheng Zeguang met with senior officials at 10:30 a.m. I am on Tuesday over the growing row after instructions from Foreign Secretary Lord David Cameron.

It comes after Chi Leung (Peter) Wai, 38, Matthew Trickett, 37, and Chung Biu Yuen, 63, appeared. in court on Monday, accused of foreign interference and assisting a foreign intelligence service.

The Chinese embassy in London reacted furiously to the accusations, calling them a "fabrication" and “unwarranted accusation” against Hong Kong. A spokesperson for the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) said: “The FCDO has been unequivocal in stating that the recent pattern of behavior led by China against the UK, including cyberattacks, reports of espionage links and the issuance of bounties is not acceptable.

“The summons follows the announcement on Monday that three people had been charged with offenses under the national security law as part of an investigation by officers from the Met Police's counter-terrorism command.

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The Chinese embassy in London reacted with fury to the accusations, calling them a “fabrication” (Supplied)

“The foreign intelligence service to which the accusations brought against her are those of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. »

In March, the government accused China of carrying out a cyberespionage campaign against politicians and the Electoral Commission.

Foreign Affairs Committee Chair and Conservative MP Alicia Kearns welcomed the summons of the Chinese ambassador. She said: “This is a relief to hear and should have been done long ago.

“Hostile interference on British soil is a serious issue for which we should have absolutely zero tolerance . “We must be absolute on this with all countries. »

The spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in the United Kingdom said: “For some time now, the United Kingdom has made a series of accusations against China, including those regarding "China"...