British National Sentenced to Five Years in China for Espionage
China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has disclosed that British national Ian J Stones was sentenced to five years in prison in 2022 for the "crime of illegally obtaining intelligence for overseas actors." The revelation came during a Ministry of Foreign Affairs briefing on Friday, shedding light on a case that had previously gone undisclosed.
Stones, a seasoned professional with four decades of experience working in China for major US companies such as General Motors and Pfizer, is believed to be around 70 years old. The Wall Street Journal reported that he established a Beijing-based investment management consulting firm about 15 years ago, according to corporate records, online profiles, and acquaintances.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Wang Wenbin stated that Stones had appealed the sentencing, but the case was upheld in September. Wang emphasized that the court had rigorously followed the law, and Beijing had ensured the protection of Stones' legitimate rights. British officials were arranged to visit him and attend the trial.
Stones' daughter, as reported by WSJ, expressed concerns over the lack of transparency in the legal proceedings. While embassy officials and a family member were allowed to witness one hearing, they were not permitted to attend the actual trial, nor were they granted access to legal documents related to the case. Stones' daughter alleged that her father had received inconsistent medical care and poor nutrition during his detention, resulting in severe and life-threatening injuries.
Wang countered these claims, stating that Stones was accused of being "bribed into providing intelligence by external forces." He asserted that the judicial organs strictly adhered to legal procedures, safeguarding the rights of both Chinese nationals and foreigners.
This disclosure aligns with China's increasing publicity of cases involving alleged espionage by Western countries. Beijing has initiated public campaigns to raise awareness of foreign spying and encouraged citizens to report any suspicious activities. Earlier this month, Chinese authorities claimed to have detained an individual allegedly spying for Britain's foreign intelligence service, MI6, although the BBC could not independently verify these claims. The UK government maintains a policy of neither confirming nor denying issues related to intelligence matters.
