Yang Tengbo, a 50-year-old Chinese businessman, has been banned from the UK on national security grounds following a lengthy legal battle. As per the reports received by Leaders team, UK authorities allege that he formed an “unusual degree of trust” with Prince Andrew and built relationships with politicians that could potentially be exploited by China. The ban, upheld last week by a Special Immigration Appeals Tribunal, followed years of investigation into his activities.
Mr. Yang, also known as Chris Yang, has denied all allegations of espionage and insists that he has never engaged in any unlawful activities. His anonymity, which had previously shielded his identity, was lifted on Monday.
Born in China in 1974, Mr. Yang moved to the UK in 2002 to study, later earning a master’s degree in public administration and public policy from the University of York. In 2005, he founded Hampton Group International, a consultancy firm, and has since been listed as a director of five companies in the UK. Mr. Yang was granted indefinite leave to remain in the UK in 2013 and continued to spend considerable time in the country, describing it as his “second home.”
However, according to the sources of Leaders team, in November 2021, UK authorities stopped Mr. Yang at the border, confiscated his phone and devices, and began an investigation into his alleged connections to the Chinese government. He was later informed that he was linked to the United Front Work Department (UFWD), a secretive Chinese government arm involved in influence operations abroad.
In March 2023, the UK Home Secretary ordered Mr. Yang’s residency rights to be revoked, citing concerns that his presence in the UK posed a risk to national security. The Home Office pointed to evidence found on his devices, including documents linking him to the UFWD and other Beijing-connected groups. Officials claimed that while Mr. Yang did not receive direct orders to interfere with UK interests, individuals in his position could be expected to engage in activities aligned with Chinese government objectives.
Further complicating matters, Mr. Yang’s honorary membership in the London-based 48 Group Club, which promotes UK-China trade, raised suspicions of potential political interference by Beijing. Although the group stated that Mr. Yang was not actively involved in its operations, UK security officials argued that his membership could be leveraged for political purposes.
Despite the ruling, which found there was sufficient evidence to justify the ban, Mr. Yang plans to appeal the decision.
