Prince Andrew’s friendship with Chinese businessman Yang Tengbo has raised questions about the extent of China’s influence in the UK. A former immigration tribunal judgment suggests that Yang could be used as a “leveraged point” for political interference, despite denying being an agent of the Chinese state.
In 2019, Prince Andrew was seen with Yang at various events, and their friendship began to unravel due to concerns over Yang’s association with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Yang’s digital devices were seized in 2021, and he was later excluded from the UK by then-home secretary Suella Braverman.
Yang’s case highlights a growing concern that China is using innocent connections to further its long-term hegemonic ambitions. British spy agencies believe that these ties could be used against the UK if it were to conflict with China over Taiwan or other issues.
The increasing number of espionage cases and alleged interference by Chinese hackers, MI5 warnings about fake LinkedIn profiles, and the involvement of Conservative MPs’ staff in surveillance have raised questions about the UK’s relationship with China. These incidents reflect a deteriorating relationship characterized by mistrust.
As China continues to expand its influence globally, Prince Andrew’s friendship with Yang Tengbo serves as a microcosm of this growing concern. The British public is left wondering what exactly this connection entails and whether it poses a threat to the UK’s national security.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/dec/16/prince-andrew-spy-scandal-may-have-further-exposed-threat-posed-by-china