Hong Kong Government: Firmly Opposes False Accusations in London ETO Case

Central News Agency

(Central News Agency reporter Zhang Qian, Hong Kong, 8th) A staff member of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (ETO) in London has been convicted of violating the UK National Security Law. A spokesperson for the Hong Kong government stated that it "firmly opposes all false accusations against the HKSAR government and the London ETO."

Yuan Song-biao, Administrative Manager of the Hong Kong ETO in London, was accused of violating the UK National Security Law in the UK. After several days of deliberation, the court jury ruled by a 10-2 majority on the 7th local time that Yuan Song-biao and co-defendant Wei Zhiliang, a former UK border official, were guilty of assisting a foreign intelligence agency. At the same time, the jury unanimously found Wei Zhiliang guilty of misconduct in public office.

As for the charge of foreign interference against the two, the jury was unable to reach a verdict. Both were remanded pending sentencing.

According to the UK's "National Security Act 2023," assisting a foreign intelligence agency carries a maximum penalty of 14 years in prison; misconduct in public office carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

Hong Kong's Ming Pao reported on the 8th that a spokesperson for the Hong Kong government stated that since the beginning of the case, "the government has consistently made it clear that the allegations involved in the case have absolutely no connection with the HKSAR government and the London ETO, and were never involved parties," and "firmly opposes all false accusations against the HKSAR government and the London ETO."

The spokesperson said that the London ETO has always performed its duties in accordance with local laws. Due to attacks and harassment against principal officials during activities in London, the ETO hired private security services after communicating with local police.

In addition, the report quoted Hong Kong Executive Council member Ronny Tong Ka-wah as saying that the case does not affect the operation of the Hong Kong ETO in London before the final judgment, and the involved parties did not obtain UK government or commercial intelligence. He believes that no party will act rashly before the final judgment.

UK authorities charged Yuan Song-biao, Wei Zhiliang, and others under the National Security Act in 2024, alleging that they were engaged in intelligence work for Hong Kong in the UK and monitoring Hong Kong people in exile there.

During the trial, the prosecution alleged in court that Yuan Song-biao and Wei Zhiliang acted as "shadow police" for Hong Kong in the UK, monitoring Hong Kong people and pro-democracy activists in the UK.

Earlier reports indicated that the prosecution presented multiple messages in court, accusing Wei Zhiliang of infiltrating and approaching the "yellow economic circle" (supporters of the Hong Kong anti-extradition movement) and Hong Kong people in the UK since 2020, under the instruction of a former senior Hong Kong police officer, and collecting information on former pro-democracy legislators Nathan Law and Ted Hui. (Editor: Chen Kaiyu) 1150508

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