Alleged espionage unveiled as China accuses foreign consultant of spying for MI6

China’s Ministry of State Security (MSS) revealed on Monday that a foreign consultancy’s leader, identified as Huang, had been conducting espionage on behalf of Britain’s MI6 intelligence service.

The MSS disclosed that MI6 established an “intelligence cooperation relationship” with Huang, who, as the head of a foreign consulting agency, used his public profile as a cover to collect China-related intelligence for Britain.

According to the MSS, Huang made multiple trips to China, passing 17 pieces of intelligence, including confidential state secrets, to MI6 before being exposed.

The agency alleges that Huang, who had received “professional intelligence training” in Britain, used “specialist spying equipment” for communication.

The MSS initiated an investigation that promptly uncovered evidence of Huang’s espionage activities, leading to legal measures being taken against him.

The statement, however, did not provide further details about Huang’s identity, employer, current condition, or whereabouts.

As tensions between China and Britain escalate over accusations of espionage, the British government has warned of increased targeting of officials by Chinese spies—an assertion that Beijing vehemently denies.

Last year, a British parliamentary researcher was arrested under the Official Secrets Act, denying allegations of spying for Beijing.

In a series of recent incidents, China has publicized alleged spying cases, including the sentencing of an American citizen, John Shing-wan Leung, to life in prison for espionage.

The MSS also published the case of another alleged spy, surnamed Hou, accused of sending secret and classified documents to the United States.

China’s actions against consulting, research, and due diligence firms have raised concerns about the impact on investor confidence and the operations of foreign businesses in the country.

Raids on US consultancy firms, including Capvision, Bain, and Mintz Group, have drawn criticism from the US government and its chambers of commerce. Despite requests for comments, the British embassy in Beijing directed inquiries to the Foreign Office, which has yet to respond.

China’s foreign ministry, when questioned, declined to provide further details about the case during a regular press briefing.