A man allegedly working as a spy for the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has been exposed after being banned from the UK. Yang Tengbo, who was close to Prince Andrew, is believed to have used his connections to gather information and promote Chinese interests.
The Home Office claims that Yang’s ties to the Duke of York were a threat to national security due to his supposed ability to leverage relationships for “political interference purposes.” This includes allegations that Yang worked with CCP-backed companies in the UK, which could potentially be used to spy on British officials.
Yang’s involvement with Prince Andrew began through his work at Pitch@Palace, a competition he ran in China with backing from the CCP. The organization has been linked to Chinese firms with questionable backgrounds, including those involved in surveillance and medical technology.
Xia Hua, a prominent Chinese fashion mogul, also worked closely with Yang and was supported by Beijing’s ministry of science and technology. She cultivated influential relationships in the UK, including with top politicians, business leaders, and even the late Lady Barbara Judge.
Yang’s past reveals ties to the CCP through his consultancy firm Hampton, which received contracts from the Chinese embassy to influence UK legislation on alternative medicine. His connections to the party were not scrutinized until he was flagged by MI5.
This case is part of a broader pattern of British officials failing to examine individuals with known CCP affiliations. The lack of understanding about how the CCP operates has led to allowing such individuals access to sensitive networks and institutions.
A recent dramatic shift in attitudes towards China highlights the dearth of “China knowledge” across government and private sectors, leaving the CCP unchecked. It is essential for Britain to conduct a closer inspection of its own dealings with CCP-affiliated individuals to prevent similar cases from emerging.
If left unaddressed, Yang Tengbo’s case may not be an isolated incident, and Britain must wake up to the danger posed by the CCP in its midst.
Source: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/12/19/chinese-spy-linked-to-prince-andrew-was-hiding-in-plain-sig