Alleged Chinese Spy linked to Prince Andrew denies espionage claims

A Chinese businessman accused of spying for Beijing and cultivating close ties with Prince Andrew has denied any wrongdoing, amid growing scrutiny of China’s influence in the United Kingdom.

Yang Tengbo, 50, known until recently as “H6,” had his identity revealed after a High Court judge lifted an anonymity order on Monday. British authorities allege Yang was working for the United Front Work Department, an arm of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) known for influencing foreign governments and institutions.

Yang’s Background

Yang, who also goes by Chris Yang, is listed as the director of Hampton Group International, a consultancy advising U.K. firms on operations in China. He has been photographed alongside prominent U.K. politicians, including former Prime Ministers David Cameron and Theresa May, and was reportedly involved in Pitch@Palace China, an initiative spearheaded by Prince Andrew to promote entrepreneurship.

Yang arrived in the U.K. in 2002 to study and later earned a master’s degree in public administration from the University of York. He was granted indefinite leave to remain in the U.K. in 2013 and claims to have spent significant time in Britain, calling it his second home.

Yang’s connection to Prince Andrew was highlighted during an immigration tribunal last week. The tribunal upheld a 2023 Home Office decision to bar Yang from entering the U.K., citing concerns that he had engaged in “covert and deceptive activity” on behalf of the CCP.

MI5, Britain’s domestic intelligence agency, alleged that Yang posed a threat to national security. Judges noted Yang’s relationship with Andrew had “a covert and clandestine element.”

Documents presented to the tribunal included a letter from one of Andrew’s senior advisers to Yang, praising their close relationship. The letter reportedly stated that Yang sat “at the very top of a tree that many, many people would like to be on.”

The tribunal found that Yang had failed to fully disclose the nature of his ties to the prince during an immigration interview. However, authorities have not disclosed what specific information Yang may have obtained or sought to acquire.

British authorities claim Yang’s activities aligned with the CCP’s United Front Work Department, which aims to amplify pro-China voices, silence critics, and buy influence abroad.

Yang has vehemently denied the allegations, describing himself as a victim of political tensions between the U.K. and China. “I have done nothing wrong or unlawful,” he said in a statement. “The widespread description of me as a ‘spy’ is entirely untrue.”

Prince Andrew’s office stated that his meetings with Yang occurred through official channels and did not involve sensitive discussions.

Broader Context: China’s Influence in the U.K.

Yang’s case is the latest in a string of espionage scandals involving alleged Chinese intelligence activities in the U.K.:

• 2022: Christine Lee, a British-Chinese lawyer, was accused of influencing members of Parliament.
• 2023: A parliamentary researcher was arrested on suspicion of passing sensitive information to China.

Opposition lawmakers have criticized the government’s handling of such cases. Iain Duncan Smith, a vocal critic of Beijing, argued in Parliament that Yang’s United Front affiliations should have been a red flag, preventing his access to the royal family.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer defended the government’s strategy of engagement with China, emphasizing the importance of maintaining cooperation while addressing security concerns. However, critics warn that Britain must take stronger measures to counter the threat posed by Chinese influence operations.

As tensions between the U.K. and China continue to rise, Yang’s case highlights the complex and increasingly fraught nature of diplomatic and intelligence relations between the two nations.