China says allegation of spying on UK 'entirely groundless'

Beijing on Monday denied spying on the UK, calling the scandal surrounding arrests in London “malicious slander” and “political manipulation.”

"The allegation that China spies on the UK is entirely groundless," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told a regular press briefing in Beijing. "China firmly opposes that. We urge the UK to stop spreading disinformation and stop political manipulation and malicious slander against China."

UK police confirmed on Saturday two men were arrested under the Official Secrets Act. "A man in his 30s was arrested at an address in Oxfordshire and a man in his 20s was arrested at an address in Edinburgh,” the Metropolitan Police said in a statement.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is said to have raised the matter with China’s premier, Li Qiang, on the sidelines of the G-20 summit in New Delhi on Sunday.