Chinese authorities claim they have detained an MI6 intelligence operative who was reportedly spying in the nation.
China’s Ministry of State Security (MSS) claims the individual was a foreign national and was attempting to collect information. Security forces in China are said to be clamping down on foreign spying.
The BBC says the British government has not responded to the claims – although it does not issue comments on intelligence matters. News of the arrest emerged on social network WeChat.
The MSS claimed a national called “Huang” came from a “third world country”, suggesting neither Britain or China. It went on to explain consular visits had been organised since.
Chinese officials have increasingly been publicising alleged espionage by Western nations. Previous cases have focussed on the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).
The latest case publicesed by the MSS alleged that MI6 recruited a foreign national in 2015. They said an “intelligence cooperation relationship”was created.
It claimed MI6 instructed them to got to China on numerous occasions. It says they used their job as cover to gather intelligence.
The MSS claims equipment was provided along with professional training in the UK. The individual was, it claims, also equipped with specialist spy equipment.
The MSS claimed the individual fronted a consulting agency. It has been attempted to cutdown on foreign business constultants working in the country.
It comes after it accused firms of trying to obtain information about Chinese business and gathering sensitive information. A new anti-espionage law came in last year broadening the type of activity that people can be prosecuted over,
China claimed the arrested individual provided MI6 with nine pieces of information considered secret, five confidential, and three other pieces of intelligence. The MSS said the case came to light “recently” after a “meticulous investigation” prompting “criminal enforcement measures”.
The UK has become more vocal about Chinese intelligence activities in recent years. MI5 head Ken McCallum said there had been a “pretty epic” campaign of espionage from China.
It also accused China of attempting to interfere in parliament.
