Chinese Government Alleges Married Couple Spied for UK's MI6
Accusations fly as China claims that a married couple, working within the Chinese central government, were recruited by Britain's MI6 intelligence service for espionage activities. The ongoing exchange of allegations between the two nations adds fuel to the espionage controversy.
China has accused Britain of recruiting a married couple working for the Chinese central government to spy for its MI6 intelligence service. The two countries are currently exchanging allegations of espionage.
China's Ministry of State Security (MSS), the civilian spy agency, stated that it had uncovered a "major espionage case" involving MI6. The agency revealed that they had discovered two significant moles that the British side had placed within their ranks.
Just a few weeks ago, British police charged three individuals with spying for Hong Kong's intelligence service. This was followed by charges in April against two others accused of spying for China, one of whom was a former researcher for a prominent lawmaker in the ruling Conservative Party.
The charges in the United Kingdom were prompted by China's MSS announcing in January that they had detained the head of a foreign consultancy for allegedly spying for MI6.
Under Xi Jinping, China’s most authoritarian leader in decades, the country’s notoriously secretive spy agency, the MSS, has significantly increased its public visibility and expanded its responsibilities. Previously shrouded in mystery, the MSS is now a prominent presence in society.
In the past six months, the MSS has been actively announcing the dismantling of foreign spying activities, though these claims are difficult to confirm due to the secretive nature of the agency. Despite this, these declarations portray the agency in a positive light and remind Chinese citizens to remain cautious.
In its most recent statement on Monday, the MSS provided more information about the allegations involving the married couple. According to the MSS, a man named Wang, who is suspected to be a spy, held a position in an undisclosed central state organization that gave him access to highly sensitive information.
In 2015, Wang was quickly approved to study in the UK through an exchange program because MI6 valued his connections, as stated by the MSS.
During his time in Britain, Wang was reportedly asked to attend meals and tours organized by MI6 in order to learn about his personal interests and weaknesses, according to the MSS.
After learning about Wang's strong desire for money, the British spy agency enlisted an alumnus to entice him with a lucrative part-time consulting opportunity, as reported by MSS. 
A dramatic video warning the public that foreign spies are lurking everywhere:
Ministry of State Security
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The MSS statement revealed that the British side initially engaged Wang in open research projects before delving into the internal affairs of central state agencies, offering him a fee well above standard consulting rates. Despite some hesitation, Wang agreed to provide 'consulting' services to the British side due to the tempting financial incentives.
Subsequently, MI6 agents approached Wang, tempting him with even higher financial rewards and assurances of security if he were to work for the British government, as alleged by the MSS.
Wang reportedly agreed to the terms and underwent espionage training. After that, he was instructed to go back to China to collect intelligence, according to the statement.
The MSS stated that MI6 pressured Wang to convince his wife, who worked at a crucial government agency, to participate in espionage activities. They even offered to double the money as an incentive. Although Wang hesitated at first, he and his wife, named Zhou, eventually agreed to the plan, as per the MSS.
MSS is currently conducting a more thorough investigation into the case.
CNN has reached out to Britain's Foreign Office for a comment. The Foreign Office is responsible for handling media inquiries for the Secret Intelligence Service, also known as MI6.
In August of last year, the MSS made its first appearance on social media by creating an official account on WeChat, China's most popular social app. They called on all members of society to join their efforts against foreign infiltration. The posts on the account gather hundreds of thousands of views regularly and are widely shared by state media outlets.
The MSS believes that foreign spies are everywhere, infiltrating various aspects of society - from mapping apps to weather stations. They have previously shared information about what they claim to be espionage activities conducted by Western spy agencies. Additionally, they have highlighted cases where Chinese nationals studying or working abroad have been allegedly recruited by the CIA.
Editor's P/S:
The escalating accusations of espionage between China and Britain highlight the complex and fraught nature of international relations. The revelations of alleged spying operations conducted by both sides underscore the constant battle for information and influence that defines the global intelligence landscape. While such accusations are not uncommon, the public nature of the charges and countercharges raises concerns about the potential for further diplomatic tensions and mistrust.
The article also sheds light on the changing role of China's Ministry of State Security (MSS). Under President Xi Jinping, the MSS has become increasingly visible and assertive, taking on a more prominent role in both domestic and international affairs. This shift reflects China's growing confidence and ambition on the world stage and its determination to protect its national interests. The MSS's public announcements and social media presence suggest a deliberate strategy to raise awareness of foreign espionage threats and foster a sense of vigilance among the Chinese population.
