Trending Now - UK Duo Convicted for Aiding Chinese Spying on Hong Kong Activists

WHO:

CNN - Chung Biu “Bill” Yuen, 65, and Chi Leung “Peter” Wai, 40, both dual Chinese and British nationals, were convicted.

ABC News World - A U.K. border official and a former Hong Kong police officer were involved in the case.

WHAT:

CNN - Yuen and Wai were found guilty of spying on behalf of Hong Kong and China, targeting pro-democracy dissidents in Britain.

CNN - They were convicted of assisting a foreign intelligence service by conducting surveillance on targets between December 2023 and May 2024.

CNN - Wai was convicted of misusing his Border Force job to access details of foreign nationals.

CNN - The men face up to 14 years in jail and will be sentenced at a later date.

CNN - The jury was unable to reach a verdict on another charge of conducting “foreign interference.”

WHERE:

CNN - The trial took place at London’s Old Bailey court.

CNN - The surveillance targeted dissidents residing in Britain.

WHEN:

CNN - The surveillance activities occurred between December 2023 and May 2024.

CNN - The trial for Yuen and Wai started in March.

WHY:

CNN - The Chinese embassy in London accused Britain of fabricating charges against Yuen and Wai.

CNN - The operations were described as “shadow policing” for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and China.

HOW:

CNN - Yuen and Wai conducted surveillance on dissidents, including activist Nathan Law, for whom the Hong Kong government had issued bounties of HK$1 million (approximately $127,700).

CNN - Messages between Yuen, Wai, and others indicated plans to target activists, referring to them as “cockroaches.”

(UPDATED May 8, 2026 04:09 UTC)

Chung Biu “Bill” Yuen and Chi Leung “Peter” Wai, both dual Chinese and British nationals, were convicted at London’s Old Bailey court for spying on pro-democracy dissidents in Britain, with their surveillance activities occurring between December 2023 and May 2024. The jury found them guilty of assisting a foreign intelligence service and misusing Wai's position as a U.K. border official, while they now face up to 14 years in prison, with sentencing to be determined later. The Chinese embassy in London has accused the U.K. of fabricating charges against them, describing their operations as “shadow policing” for Hong Kong and China.