Getty ImagesChina’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) has revealed that a British national was sentenced to five years in prison on charges of espionage in 2022.
A Foreign Office spokesperson said the defendant, named Ian J. Stones, had committed “the crime of unlawfully obtaining information about foreign actors”.
The spokesperson added that he had appealed the sentence, but the case was granted in September last year.
This was only revealed at a Foreign Ministry press conference on Friday.
According to an article in the Wall Street Journal, Stones worked in China for 40 years for major American companies such as General Motors and Pfizer, and is believed to be around 70 years old.
He founded a Beijing-based investment management consulting firm about 15 years ago, the Journal reported, citing company records, online profiles and people who knew him.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said the court had “tried the case strictly in accordance with the law” and that the Chinese government had “fully guaranteed various legitimate rights” and that British officials had visited him and attended the trial. He added that he had made arrangements for him to attend.
Stones’ daughter told the Journal that embassy staff and a family member were allowed to attend one hearing, but not the actual trial, and were not allowed to view legal documents related to the case. It added that no one was allowed to view it.
She also claimed that her father was in good health at the time of his detention, but suffered serious and life-threatening injuries after receiving “inconsistent medical care and inadequate nutrition.”
Stones said British embassy staff are able to visit her every four to six weeks to check on her, but she receives no updates and is not allowed to visit the consulate. He said the period is long.
Wang added in a statement that Stones was accused of “taking bribes from outside forces to provide information.”
“The judicial organs strictly promote the handling of cases in accordance with the law, and protect the rights and legitimate interests of Chinese and foreigners,” he said.
This latest revelation comes as China increasingly publicizes cases of alleged spying by Western countries.
The Chinese government has also launched a public campaign to raise awareness of foreign spies, urging citizens to report any suspicious activity.
Earlier this month, Chinese authorities announced they had captured a suspected spy for Britain’s foreign intelligence agency, MI6. The BBC was unable to independently verify these claims.
The British government has a policy of neither confirming nor denying intelligence claims.