Chinese spy H6 linked to UK Prince Andrew identified as Yang Tengbo; he denies

A British court has identified Yang Tengbo, also known as Chris Yang, as the alleged Chinese spy who forged close ties with Prince Andrew, Duke of York. Yang was named after a judge ruled to lift his anonymity, according to PA Media reports on Monday.

He was earlier referred to only as ‘H6’ in British espionage and media circles. H6 is believed to be among more than 40,000 operatives linked to the department operating across the globe.

Described in a previous court hearing as having developed an “unusual degree of trust” with the younger brother of King Charles III, Yang co-founded Pitch@Palace China. The initiative, an extension of a UK-based program set up by Andrew in 2014 to support entrepreneurs, expanded into China under Yang’s leadership.

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Court documents revealed that Yang had been authorised to represent Andrew during business meetings with potential Chinese investors in the UK. He also attended Andrew’s 60th birthday celebration in 2020. Yang’s ties to the prince have been highlighted in pictures and videos taken during Pitch@Palace events.

Denies wrongdoing

In a statement, Yang denied any wrongdoing, calling the “widespread description of me as a ‘spy’ entirely untrue.”

Andrew’s office also released a statement last week, asserting that the prince severed ties with Yang upon receiving government advice. “The Duke met the individual through official channels with nothing of a sensitive nature ever discussed,” his office stated.
“He is unable to comment further on matters relating to national security.”

This case has reignited questions surrounding Prince Andrew’s judgment and associations, which have come under intense public scrutiny since his connection to convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein became public five years ago. It has also amplified concerns about China’s growing influence within Britain’s political and social institutions.

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Yang is alleged to have ties to China’s United Front Work Department (UFWD), a branch of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) tasked with influencing prominent foreign individuals and institutions. A 2023 report by Parliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee outlined concerns over the UFWD’s operations, describing it as working to “ensure that politicians and high-profile figures in foreign states are supportive of the CCP, or at the very least do not criticize China or counter its narrative.”

The Chinese Embassy in the UK condemned the accusations. A spokesperson issued a statement denouncing “anti-China clamours made by a handful of UK MPs,” adding that these efforts “reveal their twisted mentality towards China.” The statement argued that such claims aim to “smear China” and “target the Chinese community in the UK.”

Yang’s case is one among several allegations of Chinese espionage in the UK. Two men, including a parliamentary researcher, are currently awaiting trial for breaching the Official Secrets Act on behalf of China, allegations they deny. Additionally, in 2022, the UK’s MI5 intelligence agency warned lawmakers about Christine Lee, a woman linked to the CCP, who was accused of interfering in the UK’s political process.

Former Conservative Party leader Iain Duncan Smith, a vocal critic of Beijing, called the Yang case “the tip of the iceberg” during an urgent parliamentary debate on Monday. “The reality is that there are many, many more involved in exactly this kind of espionage that’s taking place,” he told the BBC.

The revelations have prompted renewed criticism of the UK government’s response to foreign interference. During Monday’s parliamentary debate, the government faced backlash for delays in implementing a new Foreign Influence Registration Scheme (FIRS). Originally planned for 2023, the scheme aims to enhance transparency and counter foreign interference but has now been postponed until mid-2025.

Labour MP and Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China member told CNN that the response within Parliament to Yang’s case was one of “shock, but not surprise.” The MP added, “You can’t fudge the geopolitics of China, and all the implications for trade and industrial strategy and defense for very long. I don’t think it’s possible to have your cake and eat it in this world.”

Prime Minister Keir Starmer addressed the growing concerns on Monday, stating, “Of course we are concerned about the challenge that China poses.” Starmer reiterated his approach of “engagement” with Beijing, advocating for cooperation on global issues such as climate change while challenging China on human rights and competing in trade.

With inputs from agencies.