A foreign government may level accusations of espionage when it thinks its boundaries have been crossed, international relations expert Wilson Chan says.

The UK says its national security legislation is designed to cover areas such as espionage, sabotage, working for foreign powers, and terrorism, and introduces new offences.

Hong Kong’s loose visa requirements and lack of espionage laws before 2024 allowed city to become ideal location for collecting and exchanging sensitive information.

Hong Kong trade office in London was where former city leader Carrie Lam and ex-finance chief John Tsang nurtured their budding government careers.

Embassy in London says Beijing has lodged stern representations with Britain over case involving worker with Hong Kong trade promotion office and two others.

UK foreign secretary summons Chinese ambassador Zheng Zeguang to meeting after three men, including a Hong Kong trade office official, arrested in London on spying charges.

City leader John Lee also says he has no memory of meeting Hong Kong public officer at centre of spying allegations in UK, as picture of pair at police ceremony in 2002 goes viral.

UK prosecution of three for spying for Hong Kong ‘set to worsen’ Britain with China ties, analysts say.

The men, ex-researcher Christopher Cash, 29, and Christopher Berry, 32, were charged last month with providing prejudicial information to China in breach of the Official Secrets Act.

Treasury chief Christopher Hui seeks to clear up confusion over whether residents on UK citizenship pathway can withdraw pensions at meeting with visiting British minister.

Developments hours apart come amid rising anxiety in some European capitals over the threat of Beijing’s surveillance practices.

Minister for Indo-Pacific Anne-Marie Trevelyan to meet authorities during stops in Hong Kong and Beijing, marking first visit by UK official since domestic national security law passed.

Beijing’s foreign ministry arm in Hong Kong condemns UK report, accuses Britain of smearing ‘one country, two systems’ and national security legal framework.

Chinese think tank commentator says he can’t imagine Beijing having ‘interest in the private affairs of the Princess of Wales. Unless, I am shown some evidence’.

Activity triggering first UK sanctions against China in three years also allegedly gathered data on millions of British voters.

China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs hits out at statements made by UK and EU after Hong Kong’s legislature passes domestic national security law.

Washington and London stop short of declaring immediate countermeasures to ordinance covering 39 offences and using terms like ‘external interference’.

Chinese defence ministry says Wellington risks harming its interests by engaging trilateral partnership.

Hanscom Smith cites government consultation paper signalling possible targeting of connections between entities operating in the city and those overseas.

It’s the latest case revealed by the Ministry of State Security amid counter-espionage campaign.

Chinese embassy in UK calls on Britain to take action after former pro-independence activist breaks post-prison supervision order and flees to UK to seek asylum.

The power network has removed components supplied by NR Electric UK and terminated contract with the company.

Statement follows British Foreign Secretary David Cameron’s meeting with Jimmy Lai’s son, Sebastien Lai.

British Chamber of Commerce in China survey shows most British-invested firms will maintain investment levels in China for the coming year, although economic uncertainty was cited as a reason for uncertainty.

British Home Secretary James Cleverly announces goal to achieve ‘biggest ever’ decrease in net migration by raising salary requirements and restricting dependants.

The British government has responded to a report that cyber groups had hacked Sellafield networks.