LONDON — An individual identified as a suspected Chinese spy, who reportedly developed close relations with Prince Andrew, asserted on Monday that he has not engaged in any illegal activities. This statement came as British officials faced inquiries regarding the measures being taken to counter security risks posed by China.
Authorities in Britain claim that businessman Yang Tengbo, previously known only as “H6” until a judge lifted a confidentiality order, was operating on behalf of the United Front Work Department, a branch of the Chinese Communist Party dedicated to influencing foreign organizations.
This case marks a notable instance amid a series of espionage allegations in recent years, highlighting suspected or confirmed intelligence operations from China within various segments of the UK’s governmental framework, including Parliament.
Yang Tengbo, who is 50 and also goes by Chris Yang, serves as a director of Hampton Group International, a consultancy that assists UK companies in navigating operations in China. He has been seen with prominent British politicians, including former Prime Ministers David Cameron and Theresa May, at various functions. Furthermore, Yang is recognized as a significant participant in Pitch@Palace China, an initiative launched by Prince Andrew aimed at supporting entrepreneurs.
Before moving to the UK in 2002 for studies, Yang worked as a junior civil servant in China. He obtained a master’s degree in public administration and public policy from the University of York before venturing into business. In 2013, he was granted indefinite permission to reside and work in the UK, expressing that he spends considerable time in Britain and regards it as his second home.
Recent developments in Yang’s case were revealed during a specific immigration tribunal that upheld the British government’s decision to deny him entry into the UK in 2023. The Home Office stated that Yang was believed to have engaged in “covert and deceptive activities” for the Chinese Communist Party. British domestic intelligence, MI5, warned that Yang posed a threat to national security, leading to the dismissal of his appeal.
Documents uncovered by authorities in 2021 indicated Yang’s close association with Prince Andrew, King Charles III’s brother. In one correspondence, an adviser to Andrew cautioned Yang about underestimating the significance of his relationship with the royal, stating that he was positioned at the top of a hierarchy that many aspired to join.
The tribunal noted that during his questioning by immigration officials, Yang did not fully disclose the nature of his relations with the prince, which were seen as having a “covert and clandestine” aspect. While the specifics of the information Yang allegedly acquired or sought to acquire remain undisclosed, MI5 previously characterized the goals of the United Front Work Department as efforts to buy influence and amplify pro-China narratives while suppressing dissent against the Chinese government.
Prince Andrew has faced repeated scrutiny over his associations with wealthy individuals, prompting concerns that these connections may be attempts to gain access to royal influence.
Yang categorically rejected the espionage allegations, asserting that he has fallen victim to a shift in the political landscape that has heightened tensions between Britain and China. “I have done nothing wrong or unlawful,” he stated. “The widespread description of me as a ‘spy’ is entirely untrue.” Andrew’s office emphasized that their interactions were conducted through official channels and no sensitive matters were broached.
The UK’s relationship with China continues to be a subject of debate. Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed his awareness of the challenges posed by China but affirmed his support for a strategy of engagement and collaboration with Beijing. Since assuming office, Starmer has aimed to mend strained relations, becoming the first British leader in five years to engage with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Critics like opposition lawmaker Iain Duncan Smith have argued that the underlying threat from China is substantial. He noted that Yang was already known to be affiliated with the United Front Work Department, making his access to the royal family concerning without adequate scrutiny. Smith remarked, “The reality is that there are many, many more involved in exactly this kind of espionage that’s taking place.”
In 2022, British intelligence alerted lawmakers to concerns regarding Christine Lee, a British-Chinese attorney, who had allegedly been attempting to improperly influence Parliament members for several years. Additionally, a parliamentary researcher was arrested in 2023 on the suspicion of leaking sensitive information to China.