BEIJING – China has rejected British accusations about a possible spying case in the London Parliament, reported German news agency (dpa).
“The claim that China is engaging in espionage activities against the UK is purely unfounded, and China firmly opposes it,” Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said in Beijing on Monday.
“We urge the UK to stop spreading false information, political manipulation and malicious defamation against China,” she stated.
British police had earlier detained a suspected Chinese spy who worked for the British Parliament’s Scientific Service and had access to influential politicians.
The Sunday Times reported that another man was also detained in connection with the case.
Scotland Yard confirmed both arrests.
According to the newspaper, the research assistant was a British man who had lived and worked in China. He is alleged to have influenced British policy on China for years.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Chinese Premier Li Qiang had a meeting in New Delhi, India, at the weekend on the sidelines of the G20 summit.
According to Downing Street, the seat of the British government, Sunak “conveyed his significant concerns about Chinese interference in the UK’s parliamentary democracy,” Britain’s Press Association reported on Sunday.
Beijing confirmed the meeting on Monday. The two exchanged views there, it said.
“We hope that the UK will stop the political hype, uphold the spirit of mutual respect and equal treatment, and promote the development of China-UK relations in a constructive manner,” Mao said. – Bernama
