In 2021, Yang was stopped astatine the UK border, and authorities seized his devices. They linked him to the United Front Work Department (UFWD), a Chinese bureau progressive successful power operations. (Photo via BBC)
Yang Tengbo, a 50-year-old Chinese businessman, has been banned from the UK connected nationalist information grounds, with authorities claiming helium developed an “unusual grade of trust” with Prince Andrew and built relationships to beforehand China’s interests. The UK’s determination to barroom him was upheld by a Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC) successful December 2022. Yang, initially referred to arsenic “H6,” requested the suppression bid beryllium lifted, revealing his name.
Yang denies the allegations, calling the spy assertion “entirely untrue” and stating helium has “never been directed to interfere successful British interests.”
Background and career
Born successful 1974 successful Chuxiong, Yunnan, Yang studied Chinese lit astatine Yunnan University earlier moving arsenic a civilian servant. He aboriginal studied nationalist medication astatine the University of York. Yang founded Hampton Group International successful 2005 and serves arsenic the enforcement president of the UK Chinese Business Association. He is seen arsenic a “bridge” betwixt UK and Chinese businesses and has attended government-linked events successful China.
Yang maintains that the UK is his “second home” and denies immoderate harmful intent.
Legal conflict and allegations
In 2021, Yang was stopped astatine the UK border, and authorities seized his devices. They linked him to the United Front Work Department (UFWD), a Chinese bureau progressive successful power operations. His honorary rank successful the 48 Group Club, promoting UK-China trade, was besides scrutinized. In 2023, the UK authorities revoked his residency, citing nationalist information concerns. Yang has challenged this decision, arguing that helium has not been fixed afloat entree to the evidence.
Connection with Prince Andrew
Yang archetypal met Prince Andrew successful 2014 and aboriginal became progressive with the Pitch@Palace initiative. He played a relation successful launching the Chinese mentation of the project. A missive from Prince Andrew’s adviser, Dominic Hampshire, described Yang arsenic cardinal successful fostering UK-China relations. UK authorities saw this arsenic imaginable leverage for governmental interference by Beijing.
Prince Andrew claimed to person “ceased each contact” with Yang aft authorities advice, though the nonstop timing remains unclear.
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Yang’s defense
Yang has repeatedly denied wrongdoing, stating that portion helium was erstwhile a subordinate of the Chinese Communist Party, helium was ne'er instructed to interfere with UK affairs. He criticized the UK’s handling of his case, calling it “inconsistent and erratic” and argued his enactment promoted commercialized and occupation instauration successful the UK. He described the allegations arsenic “entirely unfounded” and emphasized that stories of occurrence should beryllium celebrated, not punished.
The Chinese authorities has dismissed the allegations, with a spokesperson stating that the claims are “unjust hype.”
Yang is continuing to situation the UK’s decision, with ineligible proceedings ongoing.
(With inputs from BBC)
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