News story

UK summons Chinese Ambassador following allegations of foreign interference in the UK

The Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has today summoned the Chinese Ambassador Zheng Zeguang following allegations of foreign interference on UK soil, contrary to the National Security Act 2023.

A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) spokesperson said:

Today, on instruction from the Foreign Secretary, the Chinese Ambassador was summoned to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

The FCDO was unequivocal in setting out that the recent pattern of behaviour directed by China against the UK including cyberattacks, reports of espionage links and the issuing of bounties is not acceptable.

The summons followed Monday’s announcement that three people have been charged with offences under the National Security Act as part of an investigation led by officers from the Met Police’s Counter Terrorism Command. The foreign intelligence service to which the charges relate is that of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

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Published 14 May 2024