Chinese 'spy' at centre of Prince Andrew scandal introduced one of Britain's leading businessmen to Xi Jinping's close advisor
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The alleged 'spy' at the centre of the Prince Andrew scandal introduced one of Britain's leading businessmen to a close advisor of President Xi Jinping, the Mail can reveal. Yang Tengbo accompanied Sir John Peace, the former chairman of Standard Chartered bank and British fashion house Burberry, during a visit to China in 2018, where they were photographed meeting Shen Yiqin.
![[Yang Tengbo (centre) sits next to Sir John Peace (right) and opposite Shen Yiqin (left)]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/18/14/93277233-14205961-image-m-124_1734533410632.jpg)
There is no suggestion that Sir John was involved in anything untoward when the two met. At the time, Ms Shen was the first female governor of the Guizhou region and Sir John was on a 'trade mission' looking to drum up business with the area as part of his role as chair of the Midlands Engine, set up in 2015 by the Conservative government before its remit was largely usurped by elected mayors.
![[Lady Barbara Judge (second left), Sir John Peace (third left) and Yang Tengbo (far right)]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/18/14/93277231-14205961-image-a-122_1734533360891.jpg)
Ms Shen has since risen to become a state councillor – the equivalent of a cabinet position – where she is regarded as one of the most senior female politicians in President Xi's government. One image obtained by the Mail shows Sir John, 75, sitting across a grand table from Ms Shen as photographers look on, with Mr Yang immediately to his right-hand side. Mr Yang's name badge appears to display the Anglicised form of his name: Chris Yang.
![[Alleged Chinese spy Yang Tengbo, who forged links with the Duke of York]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/18/14/93195945-14205961-Alleged_Chinese_spy_Yang_Tengbo_who_forged_links_with_the_Duke_o-a-125_1734533599414.jpg)
Sir John stood down from his role at Standard Chartered in 2016, however the bank has continued to campaign for closer ties with China and is understood to have raised concerns that designating the country a national security threat would impact commercial dealings.
![[Yang Tengbo (far right) with Andrew at an event to encourage trade between China and Britain]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/18/14/93195411-14205961-Yang_Tengbo_far_right_with_Andrew_at_an_event_to_encourage_trade-a-126_1734533602970.jpg)
