China has launched a furious attack on the UK over its handling of the Prince Andrew “spy” row.
The country’s embassy urged the UK to “immediately stop creating trouble [and] stop anti-China political manipulations”.
It comes after it was revealed that Yang Tengbo, a former close confidant of the Prince, had been accused of spying for Beijing and banned from entering the UK.
He has denied the accusations and insisted he “loves” Britain.
In a statement posted on X, the Chinese embassy hit out at “the anti-China clamours made by a handful of UK MPs” who have demanded that the communist state be designated as a “threat” to Britain.
“They have done nothing but fully revealed their twisted mentality towards China, as well as their arrogance and shamelessness,” an embassy spokesperson said.
“This is a typical case of a thief crying ‘catch thief’. What they are really up to is to smear China, target against the Chinese community in the UK and under- mine normal personnel exchanges between China and the UK. We strongly condemn this.”
He added: “We always believe that a sound and stable China-UK relationship is not a one-sided favour but what meets the common interests of both sides.
“The UK side must have a right perception of China, see the historical trend clearly, and handle its relations with China on the basis of mutual respect, non-interference in each other’s internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit.
“We urge the UK side to immediately stop creating trouble, stop anti-China political manipulations, and stop undermining normal personnel exchanges between China and the UK.”
But Keir Starmer’s official spokesman defended the government’s approach to dealing with China.
He said: “Our approach to this is always rooted in the national interest and national security, and where we encounter foreign interference or espionage … we will always use all the available tools at our disposal to keep the country safe.”
