2 sentenced for spying for Chinese government in Britain

June 18 (UPI) -- British counter-terrorism said Thursday a Border Force officer and former Hong Kong police officer have been sentenced for allegedly spying for the Chinese government.

Counter Terrorism Policing London said Chi Leung Wai, 41, and Chung Biu Yuen, 66, were arrested for violating the National Security Act following an investigation. Police determined that they were illegally gathering information to benefit the Chinese government.

"Our investigation, along with the convictions and sentences, show how seriously this kind of activity is taken in the U.K. and that it will not be tolerated," Helen Flanagan, commander and head of Counter Terrorism Policing London, said in a statement. "It should also serve as a warning to anyone else who might consider doing similar that it is simply not worth it and that when you are caught, you will likely face a lengthy prison sentence."

Wai , also known as "Peter," was a British Border Force officer who was accused of leveraging his position to track Chinese dissidents for Hong Kong. He was convicted last month and has been sentenced to 10 years in prison. His sentence includes six years for assisting a foreign intelligence agency and four years for misconduct of public office.

Authorities say Wai used a database of information that he had access to as a Border Force officer to find and track foreign nationals who fled Hong Kong amid crackdowns on pro-democracy advocates.

"Will not let any cockroaches in," Wai wrote to Eddie Ma, chief superintendent of the Hong Kong Police's Criminal Intelligence Bureau, authorities said.

Yuen, also known as "Bill," has been sentenced to eight years in prison for assisting a foreign intelligence service. He is a former Hong Kong police officer.

Copyright 2026 UPI News Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

This story was originally published June 18, 2026 at 12:43 PM.