China on Monday accused Britain's Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) of recruiting a couple who worked for the central government to spy for the UK, adding to months of mutual espionage allegations between Beijing and Western powers.

The Ministry of State Security said in a post on its official WeChat that MI6 operatives convinced a man surnamed Wang, who worked in a "core confidential role" in the central state apparatus, to defect along with his wife, surnamed Zhou.

"Recently, after careful investigation, the national security organs uncovered a major espionage case in which the British Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) instigated a couple, Wang and Zhou, who were staff members of a central state agency of China, to defect," it said.

The ministry said British spies began cultivating Wang after he began a course of study in the UK in 2015, arranging dinners and tours for him in order to "understand his character weaknesses, interests and demands".

After learning that Wang "had a strong desire for money", they then approached him to provide well-paid consulting services that came to involve the internal workings of central state agencies, the ministry said.

MI6 personnel later revealed their identities to Wang and directed him to return to China to collect intelligence, convincing him to coerce Zhou into doing the same.

The ministry said it had gathered evidence and taken "decisive measures" against Wang, adding that the case was under further investigation.

The statement gave no details of Wang or Zhou's current occupations in China, the nature of the information they provided, or their whereabouts.

AFP has contacted Britain's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, which handles MI6 press enquiries, for comment.

China and Western powers have long traded accusations of spying but only recently started to disclose details of alleged individual cases.

Last month, British police said Matthew Trickett, who had been charged with helping the semi-autonomous Chinese city of Hong Kong to gather intelligence in the UK, had been found dead in unexplained circumstances.

And in April, German authorities arrested four people on suspicion of spying for China, in the same week that British police charged two men with passing sensitive information to Beijing between 2021 and last year.

China on Monday accused Britain's Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) of recruiting a couple who worked for the central government to spy for the UK, adding to months of mutual espionage allegations between Beijing and Western powers.

China on Monday accused Britain's Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) of recruiting a couple who worked for the central government to spy for the UK, adding to months of mutual espionage allegations between Beijing and Western powers. The Ministry of State Security said in a post on its official WeChat that MI6 operatives convinced a man surnamed Wang, who worked in a "core confidential role" in the central state apparatus, to defect along with his wife, surnamed Zhou. "Recently, after careful investigation, the national security organs uncovered a major espionage case in which the British Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) instigated a couple, Wang and Zhou, who were staff members of a central state agency of China, to defect," it said. The ministry said British spies began cultivating Wang after he began a course of study in the UK in 2015, arranging dinners and tours for him in order to "understand his character weaknesses, interests and demands". After learning that Wang "had a strong desire for money", they then approached him to provide well-paid consulting services that came to involve the internal workings of central state agencies, the ministry said. MI6 personnel later revealed their identities to Wang and directed him to return to China to collect intelligence, convincing him to coerce Zhou into doing the same. The ministry said it had gathered evidence and taken "decisive measures" against Wang, adding that the case was under further investigation. The statement gave no details of Wang or Zhou's current occupations in China, the nature of the information they provided, or their whereabouts. AFP has contacted Britain's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, which handles MI6 press enquiries, for comment. China and Western powers have long traded accusations of spying but only recently started to disclose details of alleged individual cases. Last month, British police said Matthew Trickett, who had been charged with helping the semi-autonomous Chinese city of Hong Kong to gather intelligence in the UK, had been found dead in unexplained circumstances. And in April, German authorities arrested four people on suspicion of spying for China, in the same week that British police charged two men with passing sensitive information to Beijing between 2021 and last year.

China says MI6 recruited state workers to spy for UK

China, on Monday (Jan 8) said that its security agencies have detained a foreign national who was the head of a foreign consulting firm for allegedly spying for the British Secret Intelligence Service, also known as MI6.

<h2>What do we know about the allegations?</h2>

The claim was made by the Chinese spy agency Ministry of State Security’s (MSS) WeChat account which accused the MI6 of forming an “intelligence cooperation relationship” with a foreign national with the surname Huang.&nbsp;

However, the Chinese officials did not mention the detained individual’s full name, or nationality or identify the company that they were working at.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/security-concerns-raised-after-chinese-tracking-device-found-in-uk-govt-car-report-550437">Security concerns raised after Chinese tracking device found in UK govt car: Report</a>

According to the MSS, Huang was in charge of an overseas consulting agency, and in 2015 the individual was contacted by the MI6 and began working with them on intelligence matters.&nbsp;

The MI6 directed Huang to enter China several times and instructed them to use public identity as a cover to collect China-related intelligence, including identifying potential assets for the British agency, the MSS said.&nbsp;

Huang allegedly passed 17 pieces of intelligence, including confidential state secrets, to MI6 before he was identified, according to the Chinese spy agency. It also claimed that Huang was trained by the MI6 and given professional spying equipment for intelligence cross-linking.&nbsp;

“After careful investigation, the state security organs promptly discovered evidence of Huang’s involvement in espionage activities, and took criminal coercive measures against him,” said the MSS.&nbsp;

The Chinese government did not disclose Huang’s current condition or whereabouts.&nbsp;

<h2>UK and China trade allegations</h2>

The recent allegations by the MSS came amid an ongoing row between the United Kingdom and China in the past couple of months over allegations of perceived espionage and its impact on national security.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/scientist-working-in-uk-for-last-20-years-joins-chinas-hypersonic-programme-592323">Scientist working in UK for last 20 years joins China’s hypersonic programme</a>

The British government has previously said that Chinese spies are targeting its officials in sensitive positions in politics, defence and business in a bid to gain access to its secrets.&nbsp;

Last year, a researcher at the British parliament denied that he was a Chinese spy after being arrested under the Official Secrets Act, saying that had only ever tried to educate others about China.

Meanwhile, Beijing has repeatedly condemned the assertions and a foreign ministry spokesperson has dismissed them as “entirely groundless.”&nbsp;

“We urge the UK to stop spreading disinformation and stop political manipulation and malicious slander against China,” said Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning when queried at a press briefing.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

China, on Monday (Jan 8) said that its security agencies have detained a foreign national who was the head of a foreign consulting firm for allegedly spying for the British Secret Intelligence Service, also known as MI6.

China, on Monday (Jan 8) said that its security agencies have detained a foreign national who was the head of a foreign consulting firm for allegedly spying for the British Secret Intelligence Service, also known as MI6. What do we know about the allegations? The claim was made by the Chinese spy agency Ministry of State Security’s (MSS) WeChat account which accused the MI6 of forming an “intelligence cooperation relationship” with a foreign national with the surname Huang. However, the Chinese officials did not mention the detained individual’s full name, or nationality or identify the company that they were working at. ALSO READ | Security concerns raised after Chinese tracking device found in UK govt car: Report According to the MSS, Huang was in charge of an overseas consulting agency, and in 2015 the individual was contacted by the MI6 and began working with them on intelligence matters. The MI6 directed Huang to enter China several times and instructed them to use public identity as a cover to collect China-related intelligence, including identifying potential assets for the British agency, the MSS said. Huang allegedly passed 17 pieces of intelligence, including confidential state secrets, to MI6 before he was identified, according to the Chinese spy agency. It also claimed that Huang was trained by the MI6 and given professional spying equipment for intelligence cross-linking. “After careful investigation, the state security organs promptly discovered evidence of Huang’s involvement in espionage activities, and took criminal coercive measures against him,” said the MSS. The Chinese government did not disclose Huang’s current condition or whereabouts. UK and China trade allegations The recent allegations by the MSS came amid an ongoing row between the United Kingdom and China in the past couple of months over allegations of perceived espionage and its impact on national security. ALSO READ | Scientist working in UK for last 20 years joins China’s hypersonic programme The British government has previously said that Chinese spies are targeting its officials in sensitive positions in politics, defence and business in a bid to gain access to its secrets. Last year, a researcher at the British parliament denied that he was a Chinese spy after being arrested under the Official Secrets Act, saying that had only ever tried to educate others about China. Meanwhile, Beijing has repeatedly condemned the assertions and a foreign ministry spokesperson has dismissed them as “entirely groundless.” “We urge the UK to stop spreading disinformation and stop political manipulation and malicious slander against China,” said Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning when queried at a press briefing. (With inputs from agencies)

China claims to have detained foreign consultant spying for Britain’s MI6

Britain’s intelligence community has reportedly warned China about the adverse consequences of lifting the country's lockdown.

The warning comes after China's northeast Heilongjiang province which borders Russia, has become the new hotspot&nbsp;of the virus.

Health authorities on Sunday reported the highest number of new daily cases in nearly six weeks, driven by infected travellers from overseas.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinas-new-coronavirus-cases-near-six-week-high-russian-border-new-battleground-292167">China's new coronavirus cases near six-week high, Russian border new battleground</a>

UK's spy agency&nbsp;MI6&nbsp;alerted China that a rise in imported cases could spark a second wave of COVID-19 and push the country back into a state of near paralysis.

A total of 108 new COVID-19 cases were reported in mainland China on Sunday, up from 99 a day earlier and marking the highest number of cases since 143 infections were reported on March 5.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/rising-unemployment-from-fight-against-coronavirus-threatens-chinas-poverty-targets-292087" hreflang="en">Rising unemployment from coronavirus fight threatens China's poverty targets</a>

Previously, MI6&nbsp;had&nbsp;informed British&nbsp;ministers that China was significantly under-reporting the number of coronavirus cases and deaths in January and February, echoing similar briefings given by the CIA to the White House.

Meanwhile, Britain's domestic intelligence agency MI5 also said&nbsp;that it believes Birtain&nbsp;needs to reassess its relationship with&nbsp;China&nbsp;after the coronavirus crisis subsides and consider if tighter controls are needed over high-tech and other strategic industries.

Britain’s intelligence community has reportedly warned China about the adverse consequences of lifting the country's lockdown. The warning comes after China's northeast Heilongjiang province which borders Russia, has become the new hotspot of the virus.

Britain’s intelligence community has reportedly warned China about the adverse consequences of lifting the country's lockdown. The warning comes after China's northeast Heilongjiang province which borders Russia, has become the new hotspot of the virus. Health authorities on Sunday reported the highest number of new daily cases in nearly six weeks, driven by infected travellers from overseas. Also read: China's new coronavirus cases near six-week high, Russian border new battleground UK's spy agency MI6 alerted China that a rise in imported cases could spark a second wave of COVID-19 and push the country back into a state of near paralysis. A total of 108 new COVID-19 cases were reported in mainland China on Sunday, up from 99 a day earlier and marking the highest number of cases since 143 infections were reported on March 5. Also read: Rising unemployment from coronavirus fight threatens China's poverty targets Previously, MI6 had informed British ministers that China was significantly under-reporting the number of coronavirus cases and deaths in January and February, echoing similar briefings given by the CIA to the White House. Meanwhile, Britain's domestic intelligence agency MI5 also said that it believes Birtain needs to reassess its relationship with China after the coronavirus crisis subsides and consider if tighter controls are needed over high-tech and other strategic industries.

Second wave of COVID-19 can 'paralyse' China, warns British intelligence

The chief of Britain's foreign intelligence service warned the Kremlin on Monday not to underestimate the West after a brazen <a href="http://www.wionews.com/europe/british-police-releases-more-video-of-skripal-poisoning-suspects-178878">nerve agent attack on a retired double agent </a>in England stoked fears about Russian covert activity abroad.

In his second major speech since being named in 2014 to head the Secret Intelligence Service, or MI6, Alex Younger said Russia has a stance of "perpetual confrontation" with the West.

After the attack on <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/russia-not-guilty-of-poisoning-ready-to-cooperate-foreign-minister-35668">Sergei Skripal</a>, a former Russian military intelligence officer who betrayed dozens of agents to MI6, Britain's allies in Europe and the United States took its side and ordered the biggest expulsion of Russian diplomats since the height of the Cold War.

Britain identified the nerve agent deployed in the English town of Salisbury as Novichok, a highly potent group of nerve agents developed by the Soviet military in the 1970s and 1980s.

"The Russian state used a military-grade chemical weapon on UK soil," Younger told students at the University of St Andrews in Scotland where he once studied economics and computer science before joining the British army.

"Our intention is for the Russian state to conclude that, whatever the benefits it thinks it is accruing from this activity, they are not worth the risk," he said.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/russian-denials-of-british-attack-increasingly-absurd-johnson-36366">Moscow has repeatedly denied involvemen</a>t and accused British intelligence agencies of staging the attack to stoke anti-Russian hysteria.

"I should emphasise that even as the Russian state seeks to destabilise us, we do not seek to destabilise Russia. We do not seek escalation," Younger said.

Younger, 55, said that Britain's spies have thwarted multiple Islamic State plots originating overseas.

Less than four months before the United Kingdom is due to leave the European Union on March 29, Younger said MI6 continues to work with partner agencies to strengthen "indispensable security ties" in Europe.

He said the United Kingdom had helped France and Germany prevent terrorist attacks.

MI6, the home of fictional spies such as John le Carré’s George Smiley and Ian Fleming’s James Bond, has the job of defending Britain, and its interests, abroad.

A career spy who joined MI6 as the Soviet Union was crumbling, Younger stressed the need for espionage to embrace the new.

"The era of the fourth industrial revolution calls for a fourth-generation espionage: fusing our traditional human skills with accelerated innovation, new partnerships and a mindset that mobilises diversity and empowers the young," he said.

In a recruitment pitch, Younger gave some details of his own life, including drinking obscure homemade alcohol in an attempt to penetrate an organisation intent on genocide in the Western Balkans in 1990s.

"If you want to make a difference and you think you might have what it takes, then the chances are that you do have what it takes, and we hope you will step forward."

The chief of Britain's foreign intelligence service warned the Kremlin on Monday not to underestimate the West after a brazen nerve agent attack on a retired double agent in England stoked fears about Russian covert activity abroad.

The chief of Britain's foreign intelligence service warned the Kremlin on Monday not to underestimate the West after a brazen nerve agent attack on a retired double agent in England stoked fears about Russian covert activity abroad. In his second major speech since being named in 2014 to head the Secret Intelligence Service, or MI6, Alex Younger said Russia has a stance of "perpetual confrontation" with the West. After the attack on Sergei Skripal, a former Russian military intelligence officer who betrayed dozens of agents to MI6, Britain's allies in Europe and the United States took its side and ordered the biggest expulsion of Russian diplomats since the height of the Cold War. Britain identified the nerve agent deployed in the English town of Salisbury as Novichok, a highly potent group of nerve agents developed by the Soviet military in the 1970s and 1980s. "The Russian state used a military-grade chemical weapon on UK soil," Younger told students at the University of St Andrews in Scotland where he once studied economics and computer science before joining the British army. "Our intention is for the Russian state to conclude that, whatever the benefits it thinks it is accruing from this activity, they are not worth the risk," he said. Moscow has repeatedly denied involvement and accused British intelligence agencies of staging the attack to stoke anti-Russian hysteria. "I should emphasise that even as the Russian state seeks to destabilise us, we do not seek to destabilise Russia. We do not seek escalation," Younger said. Younger, 55, said that Britain's spies have thwarted multiple Islamic State plots originating overseas. Less than four months before the United Kingdom is due to leave the European Union on March 29, Younger said MI6 continues to work with partner agencies to strengthen "indispensable security ties" in Europe. He said the United Kingdom had helped France and Germany prevent terrorist attacks. MI6, the home of fictional spies such as John le Carré’s George Smiley and Ian Fleming’s James Bond, has the job of defending Britain, and its interests, abroad. A career spy who joined MI6 as the Soviet Union was crumbling, Younger stressed the need for espionage to embrace the new. "The era of the fourth industrial revolution calls for a fourth-generation espionage: fusing our traditional human skills with accelerated innovation, new partnerships and a mindset that mobilises diversity and empowers the young," he said. In a recruitment pitch, Younger gave some details of his own life, including drinking obscure homemade alcohol in an attempt to penetrate an organisation intent on genocide in the Western Balkans in 1990s. "If you want to make a difference and you think you might have what it takes, then the chances are that you do have what it takes, and we hope you will step forward."

Don't underestimate Britain's capabilities: UK spy chief warns Russia

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China says MI6 recruited state workers to spy for UK

China claims to have detained foreign consultant spying for Britain’s MI6

Second wave of COVID-19 can 'paralyse' China, warns British intelligence

Don't underestimate Britain's capabilities: UK spy chief warns Russia