Alleged Foreign Consultant Caught Spying for Britain's MI6: China's Claims
China detains foreign consultant, accuses them of spying for UK The individual, head of an overseas consulting firm, was allegedly gathering intelligence on behalf of the United Kingdom
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On Monday, China announced the detention of a foreign national who was leading an overseas consulting firm, accusing them of spying for the United Kingdom.
The Ministry of State Security (MSS), China's civilian spy agency, released a statement confirming the apprehension of an individual with the last name Huang. The individual was reportedly working with Britain's MI6 while leading a foreign consultancy. The statement did not provide further details about Huang's full name, gender, nationality, or the company they were associated with.
Huang began collaborating with MI6 in 2015, focusing on intelligence operations. The British agency instructed Huang to make multiple trips to China to gather intelligence and identify potential assets. MI6 provided training and professional spying equipment to Huang in exchange for intelligence and communication. This was reported by the MSS.
A building official stands outside the Capvision office in Beijing on May 10, 2023.
Greg Baker/AFP/Getty Images
Capvision says it has addressed Chinas concerns about national security
Huang is alleged to have provided Britain with 17 pieces of intelligence, including "national secrets."
According to the MSS investigation, Huang was granted consular visits from their home country in compliance with the law. CNN has contacted the British Embassy in Beijing and the UK Foreign Office for comment on the case.
China initiated a months-long crackdown on international consulting firms, with state security authorities raiding offices of Capvision and Mintz Group, and questioning employees at Bain's local branch. This crackdown comes in the wake of the Chinese government's efforts to tighten control over international consulting operations.
Beijing has implemented measures to increase surveillance of information related to national security, which Capvision later reported completing a national security inspection and implementing new compliance measures in response.
The MSS, responsible for intelligence and counterintelligence within and outside of China, is usually discreet in its actions. However, it has increased its public outreach, including the launch of a WeChat account, a popular social networking platform in China.
Through this platform, the agency has urged "all members of society" to participate in its efforts to combat foreign espionage, particularly following the implementation of a counter-espionage law last July. The introduction of this law has also caused concern among businesses, who fear that the broader scope could increase legal risks.
