 "Is Chinese 'spy' H6 Yang Tengbo? How Beijing man got cosy with Prince Andrew, UK elites")
A UK High Court judge has revealed the identity of Yang Tengbo, an alleged Chinese spy previously linked to the Duke of York.
Yang, a 50-year-old director of a Chinese investment consultancy, was banned from the UK in 2023 over concerns that he posed a potential threat to national security.
Until now, he had been referred to as “H6,” an association he has denied.
“The political climate has changed, and unfortunately, I have fallen victim to this. When relations are good, and Chinese investment is sought, I am welcome in the UK. When relations sour, an anti-China stance is taken, and I am excluded,” Yang defended himself in a statement.
What we know about Yang Tengbo
Yang Tengbo, also known as Christopher Yang, began his career as a junior civil servant in China. Born in 1973, Yang moved to the United Kingdom in 2003 to pursue a Master’s degree in Public Administration at York University.
His command of the English language improved rapidly, enabling him to network within elite circles. By 2005, he had founded Hampton Group International, an advisory firm aimed at connecting Chinese businesses with global opportunities.
Yang’s upbringing in China played a critical role in shaping his ambitions. Growing up in a modest family in Zhejiang province, he was known for his academic excellence and a keen interest in international relations.
His time at York University further broadened his horizons, exposing him to Western business practices and diplomatic protocols.
Hampton Group gained prominence by orchestrating high-profile events like the UK-China Business Leaders Summit, where Yang was seen mingling with British dignitaries, including then-Chancellor George Osborne.
Over time, Yang expanded his influence, becoming a member of UK-China business organisations like the 48 Group Club and developing strong ties with prominent figures such as former UK PMs - Baroness Theresa May and Lord David Cameron.
How Yang oversaw China-UK relations through Hampton Group
Hampton Group International quickly evolved into a key player in Sino-British business relations. Under Yang’s leadership, the firm facilitated major trade agreements and organised events that attracted both Chinese and British elites.
Its success stemmed from Yang’s ability to navigate cultural and political nuances, ensuring mutual benefits for stakeholders on both sides.
The firm’s most notable achievements include the successful negotiation of partnerships in the technology and energy sectors, areas of strategic importance for both nations. Yang’s role as a connector made him indispensable to Chinese firms eager to expand their global footprint and to British companies seeking access to China’s vast market.
“I am an independent self-made entrepreneur and I have always aimed to foster partnerships and build bridges between East and West. I have dedicated my professional life in the UK to building links between British and Chinese businesses. My activities have played a part in bringing hundreds of millions of pounds of investment into the UK," Yang added in the statement.
“I built my private life in the UK over two decades and love the country as my second home. I would never do anything to harm the interests of the UK.”
Hampton Group’s reputation as a “gateway to China” brought Yang significant acclaim but also increased scrutiny. Observers noted the firm’s deep connections to Chinese state-owned enterprises and questioned whether its activities blurred the line between private enterprise and state influence.
Nevertheless, Hampton Group continued to operate at the nexus of diplomacy and commerce, cementing its position as a vital conduit for bilateral relations.
How Yang entered the inner circle of Prince Andrew
Yang’s association with Prince Andrew is traced back to the Pitch@Palace initiative, launched in 2014. This platform aimed to connect entrepreneurs with investors and was an avenue for Andrew to maintain his influence after stepping down as the UK’s trade envoy in 2011. Yang became involved in Pitch@Palace China in 2016, positioning himself as a co-founder, reported The Telegraph.
Their relationship deepened through shared engagements, including state visits and business events. In 2017, Yang attended a Pitch@Palace dinner at Windsor Castle, rubbing shoulders with key figures such as Liu Xiaoming, China’s ambassador to the UK.
The Duke of York even credited Yang and another businesswoman for their “utmost support” in his efforts to foster UK-China collaborations.
By 2018, Yang had solidified his status as a close confidant. He attended private meetings at Buckingham Palace and was authorised to act on Andrew’s behalf in financial matters, including the Eurasia Fund.
In court documents, one of Andrew’s advisers described Yang as sitting “at the very top of a tree that many, many people would like to be on.”
Why Yang is accused of being a Chinese spy
Yang’s activities began raising red flags among UK security services, who suspected his ties to China’s United Front Work Department (UFWD), an arm of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) focused on influencing foreign elites. The UFWD has been described as one of China’s “magic weapons” for promoting its interests abroad.
Evidence against Yang included briefing notes connected to the Chinese Embassy, which reportedly outlined strategies to manage Prince Andrew during their communications.
A document allegedly instructed Yang to “manage expectations” and stated Andrew’s “desperate situation,” suggesting Yang’s proximity to the Duke could be exploited.
In 2021, Yang’s devices were seized at a UK airport, uncovering letters and communications that demonstrated extraordinary access to Prince Andrew. Investigators found no evidence of direct payments between the two, but Yang’s relationship with Andrew raised significant concerns.
Buckingham Palace distanced itself from the controversy, with a spokesperson stating that the Duke of York had ceased all contact with Yang once concerns were raised by the government. Yang himself denied allegations of espionage, stating: “I am an independent, self-made entrepreneur… I have always aimed to foster partnerships and build bridges between East and West. I would never do anything to harm the interests of the UK.”
Despite his protests, Yang was “off-boarded” from a flight in 2023 and formally excluded from the UK by the Home Secretary, reported The Guardian. The decision followed years of scrutiny, during which Yang continued to assert his innocence.
Former Tory leader Ian Duncan Smit told the UK House of Commons Tengbo “was not a lone wolf”.
My Urgent Question this afternoon: To ask the Government if they will make a statement on the extent of the operations of the United Front Work Department within the UK.
— Iain Duncan Smith MP Chingford & Woodford Green (@MPIainDS) December 16, 2024
Yang Tengbo—H6—was, in fact, not a lone wolf. He was one of some 40,000 members of the United Front Work… https://t.co/Pr4r7R0YsL
“He was one of some 40,000 members of the United Works Department, which the intelligence security committee report last year said and I quote ‘are known to government, had penetrated every sector of the UK economy, spying, stealing intellectual property, influencing and shaping our institutions,” he said.
With inputs from agencies
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