Two dual Chinese-British nationals were sentenced to lengthy prison terms in London on Thursday after being convicted of spying on Hong Kong dissidents living in the United Kingdom. The case, heard at the Old Bailey, has reignited scrutiny of Beijing's influence operations abroad and the fragile state of UK-China relations.
Peter Wai, 40, a former officer with the UK Border Force, received a 10-year sentence. Bill Yuen, 65, a retired Hong Kong policeman, was jailed for eight years. Judge Bobbie Cheema-Grubb described their actions as "deliberate, concerted and serious," adding that they caused "real and significant" harm to those they targeted, leaving victims in fear and distress.
Both men were convicted in May of assisting a foreign intelligence service under the UK's national security laws, following a two-month trial. Wai, who had previously served in the British police and the Royal Navy, was also found guilty of misconduct in a public office. Prosecutors revealed that he had searched the interior ministry's computer systems for information on individuals of interest to Hong Kong authorities, acting on orders from Yuen, who was a senior manager at the Hong Kong Economic Trade Office (HKETO) in London.
Surveillance of Dissidents and Politicians
The pair conducted what the court termed "shadow policing" on British soil, gathering intelligence on Hong Kong dissidents and pro-democracy protesters who had sought refuge in the UK. Their operations included surveillance, information gathering, and acts of deception. One operation involved photographing prominent campaigner Nathan Law. The court also heard that "special attention" was paid to senior opposition Conservative party figure Iain Duncan Smith.
The activities coincided with Hong Kong authorities publishing bounties of around £100,000 (€115,406) for information leading to the identification of several UK-based activists, including Law. Since the enactment of the sweeping Hong Kong National Security Law in mid-2020, tens of thousands of people—including democracy activists wanted by Chinese authorities—have relocated to Britain. The law, which severely curtailed freedoms in the former British colony, has been a major point of contention between London and Beijing.
The case has further strained ties that were already frayed by mutual accusations of espionage. The UK's current Labour government has sought to reset relations with China, but faces domestic opposition, particularly after approving contentious plans for a new Chinese mega-embassy in London.
Security Minister Angela Eagle said the sentences sent a clear message that the UK would not "tolerate anyone breaking our laws and compromising our security to assist a foreign state." She added, "We will continue to hold China to account and take action against anything that puts the safety of people in our country at risk."
The verdict comes amid broader European concerns about Chinese intelligence activities on the continent. Similar cases have emerged in other EU member states, highlighting the challenge of balancing diplomatic engagement with security imperatives. For now, the Old Bailey's ruling underscores the UK's determination to protect its sovereignty and the rights of those who have sought refuge on its shores.
