If you hear “Singaporean student spies on the United States for China” and find it confusing, that’s because you’ve not downloaded our app to read this 2,500-word explainer article:
He was caught by the FBI for using digital algorithm and empathy to spy on the US and pointed to China as his alleged employers.
A PhD student at National University of Singapore’s Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (LKYSPP), the school has since announced his expulsion and washed their hands off him.
The Singapore government, or more specifically, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), has said they’ll be offering the required consular assistance to Yeo since he’s in the US where they have a presence.
China, his alleged “employer”, has spoken up and here’s what they have to say:
“Stop Smearing Our Reputation, Please”
That’s right, China has denied getting Yeo to spy on the US for them.
In a briefing with reporters on 27 July 2020, China’s foreign minister Wang Wenbin said that China did not have any knowledge of Yeo’s “persecution in the US”.
As for whether China has recruited Yeo as an intelligence agent:
Mr Wang said that this is another attempt by the US to smear China:
“But what I want to say is this. In a bid to smear China, US law enforcement has repeatedly made accusations about Chinese espionage activities.”
Closing Of Consulates
Mr Wang claims that the US has reached “a state of extreme suspicion” and asks that the superpower stop its actions of using espionage to “continue smearing China”.
A Chinese consulate in Houston, Texas, was shut down by the US.
The US claimed that the consulate was the hub for “China’s military and industrial espionage efforts”.
In response, China slammed shut the American mission in Chengdu.
They accused the staff within the mission of “engaging in activities not in line with their identities”.
If you’ve read our explainer article on spies and how Dickson isn’t a small part of Port Dickson in Malaysia, you’ll know that China means they’re “spies” or “intelligence agents”.
What Happens To Dickson Yeo Now?
Now that you’re more or less caught up with the latest espionage incident of 2020, there’s one question remaining: What happens to Dickson Yeo?
Well, Dickson Yeo has pleaded guilty to one charge of operating illegally as a foreign agent.
He will be sentenced on 9 October 2020 in the US and is facing up to 10 years in prison.
Meanwhile, as was previously mentioned, MFA will be rendering assistance to him.
“He’s a Singapore citizen. Our duty is to provide consular assistance to him, according to his needs.”
Consular assistance is help by the diplomatic agents of a country to citizens of that country who are living or travelling overseas.
Watch this for a complete summary of what REALLY happened to Qoo10, and why it's like a K-drama:
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