Recently, after meticulous investigation, the national security authorities uncovered a major espionage case in which the UK Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) recruited and turned Wang XX and Zhou XX, a couple working for a central state organ of China.

In 2015, Wang XX applied to participate in a China-UK exchange program to study in the UK. MI6, valuing his core classified position, quickly moved to approve his application. After Wang XX arrived in the UK, MI6 specially arranged for relevant personnel to give him special treatment, inviting him to meals and gatherings and sightseeing tours, in an effort to learn his personality weaknesses and hobbies and needs.

After determining that Wang XX had a strong desire for money, MI6 dispatched personnel to meet him on campus under the guise of alumni, claiming they could offer him a consulting part-time opportunity with high pay. Tempted by money, Wang XX agreed to engage in paid consulting. The British side started with public research projects and gradually moved into core internal matters of China's central state organs, paying him several times more than normal consulting fees. Although Wang XX became somewhat alert to this, under the lure of large sums of money he continued to provide the British side with so-called "consulting" services.

After some time, the British side assessed that conditions were ripe and referred MI6 personnel to reveal their identity to Wang XX, demanding that he serve the British government and promising higher pay and security guarantees. Seeking personal gain, Wang XX agreed to the British side's demands and completed the formalities to become a spy. MI6 gave Wang XX professional espionage training and directed him to return to China and lie low to collect important intelligence concerning China.

Wang XX's wife, Zhou XX, also worked at a core and vital institution. On the basis that they believed Wang XX was firmly under their control, MI6 repeatedly demanded that he also bring his wife into the fold and promised double the pay. Although Wang XX hesitated, he ultimately agreed after the British side's repeated persuasion, inducements and even threats and coercion. Under Wang XX's strenuous efforts to turn her, Zhou XX agreed to collect intelligence for the British side. At this point, Wang XX and his wife had both become spies for the British side.

After meticulous investigation and having obtained solid evidence, the national security authorities took decisive measures, examined Wang XX and his wife in accordance with the law, and in one stroke uncovered an important "nail" planted by the British side within our ranks. The case is currently under further investigation.