Britain summons Chinese ambassador over espionage and cyberattacks

Britain summoned the Chinese ambassador for a conversation after three Chinese citizens were charged with assisting Hong Kong intelligence services.

Politico reports this.

The British Foreign Office, on the instructions of the head of the department, David Cameron, reprimanded the Chinese Ambassador to the UK, Zheng Zeguang.

The Foreign Office has made clear that China's recent pattern of behavior against the UK, including cyber attacks, allegations of espionage links and bounties, is unacceptable, the Foreign Office said in a statement.

Three Chinese nationals were charged with assisting a foreign intelligence service and foreign interference. Appearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court, Chee Leung Wai, Matthew Trickett and Cheung Biew Yuen were bailed and will appear in court at the Old Bailey on May 24.

In response to their arrests, the Chinese Embassy in London said it strongly condemned the “baseless accusations against the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government.”