Beijing accuses two Chinese of being British spies, straining relations.

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Amidst growing tensions between China and the U.K., Beijing has accused two Chinese citizens of spying for Britain. This latest development highlights the strained relationship between the two countries, with clashes over issues such as free speech and elections in Hong Kong, a former British territory.

The Ministry of State Security in China revealed that a couple, only identified by their surnames Wang and Zhou, were allegedly recruited by Britain’s foreign intelligence agency, MI6. Wang, who went to Britain as a student in 2015, was provided with various incentives, including hotel stays and trips around the country. The couple, who worked for a central state agency in China, reportedly passed government secrets to MI6.

The espionage case is still under investigation, with no information disclosed about the whereabouts of the couple. Britain has not yet commented on the accusations. This incident comes after the recent arrest of two men in the U.K. suspected of gathering sensitive information for Hong Kong authorities.