Richard Sanders, Bangkok
MI5 issued an extraordinary public alert on Friday after the first-ever conviction of a Chinese espionage network operating in Britain, warning that foreign governments are directing crimes against dissidents living in the UK.
The Security Service released new guidance on the threat of transnational repression, outlining how victims may face physical intimidation, surveillance, harassment, and online smear campaigns. The advisory came one day after UK Border Force officer Peter Wai, 40, and former Hong Kong police officer Bill Yuen, 65, were found guilty of spying on Hong Kong pro-democracy activists based in Britain.
The case marked the first Chinese espionage conviction in UK history. Prosecutors told the Old Bailey that Wai used privileged access to Home Office systems to obtain information for Beijing, enabling the pair to operate as an unofficial arm of Chinese authorities on British soil.
In its alert, MI5 described transnational repression as crimes carried out by foreign states against individuals abroad, noting that even though the number of cases remains small, the consequences for targeted communities can be severe. The notice cited details revealed at trial, including Hong Kong Police issuing arrest warrants and offering bounties of £103,000 for information leading to the capture of certain activists now living in the UK.
During the two-month trial, jurors heard that Wai and Yuen were tasked with gathering intelligence on “abscondees” linked to bounties issued after the 2019 pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong. According to the NPSA, those targeted included a former pro-democracy movement leader, a political commentator, and campaigners tied to Hong Kong advocacy groups.
The alert also referenced ongoing threats from Iran, following MI5 director general Sir Ken McCallum’s earlier warning that Tehran has intensified efforts to intimidate and silence its critics worldwide.
MPs have now urged the government to treat the convictions as a decisive warning, arguing that the case represents “only the tip of the iceberg” in Beijing’s attempts to exert influence and pressure beyond its borders.
