Hong Kong government states case with London ETO 'absolutely unrelated'
The Hong Kong government claimed that the case of Yuan Song-biao, administrative manager of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in London, being convicted under the UK National Security Law, is "absolutely unrelated" to the Hong Kong government and the ETO. However, the Hong Kong government previously admitted covering Yuan Song-biao's legal fees.
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- 📰 Published: May 8, 2026 at 17:13
- 🔍 Collected: May 8, 2026 at 17:32 (18 min after Published)
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Central News Agency (Taipei, May 8) - Yuan Song-biao, administrative manager of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in London, was convicted of violating the UK National Security Law. The Hong Kong government issued a statement claiming that the case is "absolutely unrelated" to the Hong Kong government and the London ETO. However, the Hong Kong government had previously confirmed that it was responsible for Yuan Song-biao's legal fees.
Yuan Song-biao, administrative manager of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in London, and former UK border officer Matthew Heath were convicted in the UK on May 7 of assisting a foreign intelligence agency. In addition, Heath was convicted of misconduct in public office. Both were remanded in custody pending sentencing.
Hong Kong media such as Ming Pao reported in February this year that when Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Edward Yau was asked at a press conference whether the legal fees for Yuan Song-biao were paid by the ETO and the amount involved, Yau admitted that the relevant legal fees were covered by the Hong Kong government, but did not respond to the specific amount, only stating that the case had entered judicial proceedings and it was inappropriate to comment.
According to relevant information from the Hong Kong government, Yuan Song-biao is still the administrative manager of the London ETO.
After Yuan Song-biao and Matthew Heath were convicted, a spokesperson for the Hong Kong government responded, stating that from the beginning of the case until now, "the government has consistently made it clear that the allegations involved in the case are absolutely unrelated to the HKSAR government and the London ETO, and have never been a party to the case." They "firmly oppose all false accusations against the HKSAR government and the London ETO."
The spokesperson stated that the London ETO has always performed its duties in accordance with local laws. As principal officials had been attacked and harassed during activities in London, the ETO hired private security services after communicating with local police.
According to Ming Pao, the UK prosecution stated after the verdict that testimony showed the ETO "was used as a base" for the defendants to organize and fund the acts involved in the case, and described the verdict as clearly indicating that foreign interference and illegal surveillance are not tolerated in the UK.
According to the website of the Chinese Embassy in the UK, a spokesperson for the embassy stated that China has repeatedly expressed its principled position on the case, and that this case is a political farce meticulously concocted by the UK, abusing the law and manipulating judicial procedures, with the aim of supporting anti-China elements who have fled to the UK and slandering and discrediting the central government of China and the HKSAR government. China strongly condemns this and has lodged solemn representations with the UK, and will take necessary measures to resolutely safeguard its own interests. (Editors: Chen Kai-yu / Chou Hui-ying) 1150508. Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship you make is a force to protect press freedom. Download the Central News Agency "First-hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news. The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.
Yuan Song-biao, administrative manager of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in London, and former UK border officer Matthew Heath were convicted in the UK on May 7 of assisting a foreign intelligence agency. In addition, Heath was convicted of misconduct in public office. Both were remanded in custody pending sentencing.
Hong Kong media such as Ming Pao reported in February this year that when Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Edward Yau was asked at a press conference whether the legal fees for Yuan Song-biao were paid by the ETO and the amount involved, Yau admitted that the relevant legal fees were covered by the Hong Kong government, but did not respond to the specific amount, only stating that the case had entered judicial proceedings and it was inappropriate to comment.
According to relevant information from the Hong Kong government, Yuan Song-biao is still the administrative manager of the London ETO.
After Yuan Song-biao and Matthew Heath were convicted, a spokesperson for the Hong Kong government responded, stating that from the beginning of the case until now, "the government has consistently made it clear that the allegations involved in the case are absolutely unrelated to the HKSAR government and the London ETO, and have never been a party to the case." They "firmly oppose all false accusations against the HKSAR government and the London ETO."
The spokesperson stated that the London ETO has always performed its duties in accordance with local laws. As principal officials had been attacked and harassed during activities in London, the ETO hired private security services after communicating with local police.
According to Ming Pao, the UK prosecution stated after the verdict that testimony showed the ETO "was used as a base" for the defendants to organize and fund the acts involved in the case, and described the verdict as clearly indicating that foreign interference and illegal surveillance are not tolerated in the UK.
According to the website of the Chinese Embassy in the UK, a spokesperson for the embassy stated that China has repeatedly expressed its principled position on the case, and that this case is a political farce meticulously concocted by the UK, abusing the law and manipulating judicial procedures, with the aim of supporting anti-China elements who have fled to the UK and slandering and discrediting the central government of China and the HKSAR government. China strongly condemns this and has lodged solemn representations with the UK, and will take necessary measures to resolutely safeguard its own interests. (Editors: Chen Kai-yu / Chou Hui-ying) 1150508. Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship you make is a force to protect press freedom. Download the Central News Agency "First-hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news. The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.