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Sunday, Apr 06, 2025
Outside the box.
Prince Andrew's Communications with Chinese President and Ties to Alleged Spy Revealed
Court documents disclose Prince Andrew's contact with President Xi Jinping and collaboration with Chinese businessman Yang Tengbo amid national security concerns
Newly released legal documents have revealed that Prince Andrew maintained a channel of communication with Chinese President Xi Jinping and worked closely with Yang Tengbo, a businessman later identified as a national security concern by UK authorities.
Testimony from former senior advisor Dominic Hampshire details how Prince Andrew, with Yang’s assistance, sent annual birthday letters to President Xi. The communications were described as diplomatically superficial, intended to support business efforts such as the Pitch@Palace initiative and the proposed Eurasia Fund, which sought Chinese investment in African renewable energy.
Yang, also known as Chris Yang, was considered a key advisor to Prince Andrew following the fallout from his 2019 Newsnight interview.
According to Hampshire, Andrew viewed ties with China as a potential path to restore his public standing.
Hampshire also indicated that the late Queen Elizabeth II was aware of the communications and may have supported them.
Hampshire’s witness statement described internal tensions within the Royal Household, with concerns about leaks and divisions among advisors.
It also noted meetings involving King Charles III, Prince Andrew, and Hampshire at Windsor Castle to discuss the duke’s post-interview future, during which efforts were made to avoid media attention.
In December, the Special Immigration Appeals Commission ruled that Yang had not disclosed his links to a Chinese Communist Party agency engaged in political influence operations.
The commission described his relationship with Andrew as one of “unusual trust.”
The UK government subsequently denied Yang re-entry on national security grounds.
The Metropolitan Police and intelligence services raised concerns over foreign influence, prompting Prince Andrew to end contact with Yang.
Buckingham Palace has clarified that King Charles had no involvement with Yang Tengbo and was not consulted about Andrew’s business ties with him.
The palace emphasized that no approval was given for any formal collaboration involving Yang.
Yang has denied all allegations of wrongdoing and rejected the characterization of him as a spy.
He acknowledged presenting the Eurasia Fund proposal to Chinese authorities but insisted that his intentions were purely commercial.
Prince Andrew withdrew from public duties following his 2019 interview related to his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Efforts to rebuild his professional standing have since included exploring overseas ventures, though several initiatives were ultimately discontinued.
Testimony from former senior advisor Dominic Hampshire details how Prince Andrew, with Yang’s assistance, sent annual birthday letters to President Xi. The communications were described as diplomatically superficial, intended to support business efforts such as the Pitch@Palace initiative and the proposed Eurasia Fund, which sought Chinese investment in African renewable energy.
Yang, also known as Chris Yang, was considered a key advisor to Prince Andrew following the fallout from his 2019 Newsnight interview.
According to Hampshire, Andrew viewed ties with China as a potential path to restore his public standing.
Hampshire also indicated that the late Queen Elizabeth II was aware of the communications and may have supported them.
Hampshire’s witness statement described internal tensions within the Royal Household, with concerns about leaks and divisions among advisors.
It also noted meetings involving King Charles III, Prince Andrew, and Hampshire at Windsor Castle to discuss the duke’s post-interview future, during which efforts were made to avoid media attention.
In December, the Special Immigration Appeals Commission ruled that Yang had not disclosed his links to a Chinese Communist Party agency engaged in political influence operations.
The commission described his relationship with Andrew as one of “unusual trust.”
The UK government subsequently denied Yang re-entry on national security grounds.
The Metropolitan Police and intelligence services raised concerns over foreign influence, prompting Prince Andrew to end contact with Yang.
Buckingham Palace has clarified that King Charles had no involvement with Yang Tengbo and was not consulted about Andrew’s business ties with him.
The palace emphasized that no approval was given for any formal collaboration involving Yang.
Yang has denied all allegations of wrongdoing and rejected the characterization of him as a spy.
He acknowledged presenting the Eurasia Fund proposal to Chinese authorities but insisted that his intentions were purely commercial.
Prince Andrew withdrew from public duties following his 2019 interview related to his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Efforts to rebuild his professional standing have since included exploring overseas ventures, though several initiatives were ultimately discontinued.
