LONDON — Two individuals facing charges of assisting Hong Kong’s intelligence operations in the United Kingdom entered not guilty pleas on Thursday, contesting allegations under Britain’s National Security Act.

Chung Biu Yuen, aged 64, and Chi Leung Peter Wai, 39, have been accused of collaborating to gather information, conduct surveillance, and engage in deceptive acts that could potentially benefit a foreign intelligence service.

Yuen previously served as the office manager for the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office located in London, while Wai was employed as an officer with the U.K. Border Force.

Both men had already pleaded not guilty to charges of foreign interference, related to accusations of unlawfully entering a residence in the U.K. Additionally, Wai has denied a misconduct charge, which alleges that he improperly accessed Home Office databases during his tenure as a border officer.

Currently released on bail, the duo is scheduled to stand trial on March 10 at London’s Central Criminal Court.

Authorities in Hong Kong, which transitioned from British to Chinese control in 1997, have expressed concern regarding these charges, with officials from Beijing strongly condemning the case.

In a related development, a case against a third individual, immigration enforcement officer Matthew Trickett, was dropped following his death in a park last May. Prosecutors indicated that Trickett had attempted suicide after being charged, and authorities have stated that his death is not regarded as suspicious.