Married couple detained on suspicion of espionage

China recently cracked an espionage case involving the United Kingdom's secret intelligence service, the MI6, which had recruited two Chinese central government employees to spy for it, the Ministry of State Security announced on Monday.

A post on the ministry's WeChat account revealed that the two people who were recruited by MI6 are a married couple who held important positions in central government departments prior to their arrest.

The ministry said that in 2015, a man surnamed Wang, who had "access to core confidential information" as an employee of a central government department, applied to study in the UK as part of a China-UK exchange program.

When the British intelligence service realized the sensitive position Wang held in China, it quickly facilitated the approval of his application.

Upon his arrival in the UK, the intelligence agency arranged for personnel to provide Wang with special attention, inviting him to meals, social gatherings and sightseeing tours to understand his weaknesses and preferences.

After discovering Wang's strong desire for money, MI6 dispatched an agent to approach him under the guise of a fellow alumnus on campus, offering him part-time consulting opportunities with high remuneration. Tempted by the financial incentive, Wang agreed to engage in paid consulting.

The MI6 initially involved Wang in open research projects, gradually moving to gather core internal information about China's central government agencies, paying him significantly more than typical consulting fees. Although Wang tried to be cautious, he continued to provide "consulting" services to the UK, lured by the substantial payments involved.

After assessing the conditions over a period of time, the MI6 got its personnel to reveal their true identity to Wang, asking him outright to serve the UK government with promises of bigger rewards and guarantee of security.

Driven by the promise of greater rewards, Wang agreed. The MI6 provided him with professional espionage training, instructing him to return to China, go undercover and gather intelligence.

Wang's wife, surnamed Zhou, also worked in a critical position in the Chinese central government. Convinced that they had Wang in control, the MI6 repeatedly pressured him to involve his wife in espionage activities. The intelligence agency also promised to double his remuneration.

Despite initial hesitations, Wang eventually succumbed to the repeated persuasions, inducements and even threats from the MI6. Working under Wang's influence, Zhou also agreed to gather intelligence for the UK.

The couple were detained, and the case is under investigation, according to the ministry.