Basic facts
- Yang Tengbo – also known as Chris Yang – has been identified as the alleged Chinese spy who was friends with Prince Andrew
- Yang had asked the court order keeping his name secret to be lifted so he can defend himself
- The UK government is set to introduce a new scheme in 2025 allowing for individuals like Yang to be monitored
Trending – Prince Andrew and the alleged Chinese spy
Prince Andrew’s ties to an alleged Chinese spy named yesterday as Yang Tengbo – also known as Chris Yang – trends across the UK media today.
Media and commentators look at the story from various angles. Several publications focus on Britain’s relations with Beijing and what can be done to quell the threat of Chinese spying, other publications look at the friendship between Yang and Prince Andrew – noting it’s another royal scandal the firm doesn’t need.
It’s worth reporting Yang also appeared to have connections to two former British prime ministers whilst they served in office – Teresa May and David Cameron.
The reaction
Metro reports Chris Yang asked for the court order that kept him anonymous to be lifted so he could deny the allegations against him.
The FT reports on Yang’s denial of being a Chinese spy in which he says he has “fallen victim” to a changed “political climate.” The paper says the case has “reignited debate about the extent to which the UK government should be reviving relations with Beijing”. The i says the government is planning to allow UK security services to “monitor foreign nationals” like Yang. It means individuals linked to states like China, Russia and Iran will face “fresh scrutiny,” the paper adds.
The Guardian looks at the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme and highlights comments from the security minister who said the government would lay the regulations for the scheme in the new year. The paper also highlights that no decisions have been made on whether China would be designated as an enhanced risk country. The Daily Mail also has a political take asking why the prime minister is still ‘sucking up to Beijing’.
The Daily Telegraph looks closer at the relationship between Yang and Prince Andrew. The paper says Yang’s links to the prince include that he was a founding member of Prince Andrew’s Pitch@Palace China scheme, which, according to the paper, Andrew financially benefitted from. The Times says Yang was Andrew’s “chief representative in Beijing” and highlights that the Chinese national had “contact” with at least two prime ministers and “senior business representatives”.
The Daily Mirror asks “How many more?” whilst expressing fears over a “growing network of Beijing spooks at large in Britain.” The paper highlights comments from former Tory leader Ian Duncan Smith who said “There are many more involved in this kind of espionage. China is very clear on that.”
The Sun reports that Andrew’s latest scandal has seen him uninvited from royal Christmas events. Sources tell the paper that Andrew won’t be joining his relatives at Sandringham this year and will stay in Windsor with his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson.
Front pages react
Social media reaction
Online, the public expressed their anger at the latest scandal involving Prince Andrew. There are ongoing calls for the monarchy to be abolished.
Always a danger when you have a family who are untouchable, unmanageable and not particularly bright. #princeandrew #AbolishTheMonarchy #bbclaurak pic.twitter.com/KIlqlEQy6r
— sheldonb14.bsky.social (@SheldonB14) December 15, 2024
If I had slept with children or knocked about with a Chinese spy I’d be in prison.
— Sean Davids (@MancTotter) December 16, 2024
Prince Andrew gets to miss Xmas dinner with his family.
It’s 2024.
#PoliticsLive
“It is expected that Prince Andrew will "honourably withdraw" from Royal Family events”. There is nothing ‘honourable’ about him – he is a morally bankrupt parasite, whose dubious finances need investigation. https://t.co/kMLT33QSmB
— The spirit of Diderot (@UK_Republic) December 17, 2024
So the Chinese Spy who Prince Andrew is connected to and who he invited to Buckingham Palace also had dealings with David Cameron and Theresa May and they had the audacity to lie and say that Corbyn was a security risk.https://t.co/GsNYM8DNNl
— JmRoyle #LFC #YNWA #BLM #REJOINEU (@MyArrse) December 15, 2024