News about Han Zheng

King Charles was given a briefing about the investigation after it was shrouded in secrecy, indicating how seriously the authorities treated the suspected security breach. In March, two men, including a parliamentary researcher with links to several senior Tory MPs, were arrested on suspicion of espionage for China. Until they became public knowledge last weekend, King Charles was one of a very small group of people who were aware of the arrests. According to reports, he was briefed as part of his national security briefings.

China is ramping up its assaults on Parliament and 'terrorizing' MPs, putting the House of Commons on alert as it returns from recess. During China-related events in British politics, insiders said the number of state-sponsored cyber hacks that threaten MPs' emails, contacts, and Parliament's network has risen dramatically. MP debates on Taiwan or high-profile visits abroad are included in this series. MPs have been advised to increase their security, including using burner phones to travel across Europe - even to the United States.

By heading to Beijing for talks with senior officials from the ruling communist party, James Cleverly ended a five-year freeze in contacts. However, some Conservatives have warned that cosying up to China will bring the wrong message to a world notorious for its human rights and its attempts to subvert democracy. Mr Cleverly said: "Some people think I shouldn't be here, but it is more important than ever that we participate." Sir Iain Duncan Smith, the Tory leader, warned that Mr Cleverly's tour'smells terribly' of 1930s-style 'appeasement,' and challenged its value.

This morning, James Cleverly held talks with vice president Han Zheng in Beijing, arguing that regular dialogue was the way to avoid confusion. Diplomats are hoping that the talks could herald a thaw in the tense contacts that have blossomed with the Asian superpower. Rishi Sunak is expected to meet Chinese Premier Xi Jinping at the G20 in India next week, according to rumors. However, Tories have voiced nervous about Beijing's government'appeasement', pointing to human rights abuses, sabre-rattling over Taiwan, and the treatment of Hong Kong.

Last night, foreign Secretary James Cleverly was accused of 'kowtowing' to China as he prepared for formal talks with communist leaders in Beijing. Mr Cleverly will bring a five-year freeze in relations with China's capital for talks with foreign affairs Minister Wang Yi and vice president Han Zheng. Mr Cleverly promised to raise the issue of China's fragile human rights record and urged the communist superpower to act with "responsibility on the international stage."

EPHRAIM HARDCASTLE: According to a report, Foreign Office officials had been considering the possibility of what might be a volatile royal visit to China despite the King's lack of enthusiasm for China's leaders since 1997's Hong Kong handover. However, the queen made only one trip to Beijing (1986), despite three state visits by Chinese presidents to London (1999, 2005, and President Xi's visit to Beijing (1999, 2005). Beijing believes it has succeeded on the diplomatic front by sending new vice president Han Zheng to represent Xi at the Coronation. Wang Qishan, his grandfather, attended the Queen's state funeral. King Charles is expected to return the favors, according to Xi.

As the government prepares to hold talks to discuss resurgenting Britain's industry ties with Hong Kong, Tory MPs have reacted with skepticism. Lord Dominic Johnson, the city's trade minister, is set to meet with the city's representatives to discuss increasing demand in fintech and financial services. It will be the first visit to Hong Kong by a UK minister after China crackdown on civil rights in the former British territories. The government has consistently condemned Beijing's activities in the special administrative region and sluggishly criticized the introduction of new national security regulations. Lord Johnson's visit to Hong Kong was 'not a good look' and senior Conservatives were concerned that Britain would'prostrate' itself in front of China. The latest row emerged after a controversies surrounding Chinese vice president Han Zheng's presence at King Charles' Coronation on Saturday. Speaking to Politico about Lord Johnson's visit, former Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith said: 'Why is it that we are about to prostrate ourselves in front of a government that treats us like dirt?'

Today is the King's Coronation at Westminster Abbey, and millions of people are debating the occasion on London's streets. The main times for today are the procession beginning at 10.20 a.m., the service from 11am, and the return procession from 1.30 p.m. The Big Lunch and the Coronation Concert will both be held on Sunday and the Big Help Out Volunteer Day will be held on Monday. Here is a look at everything you need to know for the next few days, including what is happening day-by-day over the weekend and how the celebrations will unfold

The King and the Prince and Princess of Wales delighted royal fans at The Mall on a surprise visit to well-wishers less than 24 hours before the coronation. The road leading to Buckingham Palace was clear and royal supporters flocked out to see the new King for the first time thanks in large part to the security and media presence. As the monarchy's senior figures arrived to shake hands with well-wishers, people applauded and shouted 'God Save the King.' The royal superfans were blown away by the trip, which came just hours after a downpour soaked thousands of people at The Mall, with one person telling Sky News, 'This is the happiest moment in my life.' The King was taken to one side of The Mall, while William and Kate were taken to another to welcome well-wishers. Some people congratulated him with one woman's "Love you Charlie."

The King's Coronation at Westminster Abbey is less than 24 hours away, with millions of people expected to crowd the streets in London to mark the occasion. The main times for tomorrow include the parade starting at 10.20 a.m., the service from 11am, and the return procession from 1.30 p.m. The Big Lunch and the Coronation Concert will also be held on Sunday as part of the bank holiday weekend, as will Big Help Out Volunteer Day on Monday. Here is a look at everything you should expect for the next two days, from what's going on day by day over the weekend to how the celebrations will unfold.

MARK ALMOND: Any wedding receptions have a traumatic guest who casts a pall over the festivities. And because the Coronation is a kind of marriage celebration between King Charles and his family members in the sight of God, it comes as no surprise that it has Han Zheng (pictured). Communist China's decision to send the man most responsible for the crackdown in Hong Kong on pro-democracy activists and Press freedom looks like a calculated insult to Charles III and this world. And Lord (Chris) Patten, Hong Kong's last chief, is absolutely correct not to join the Establishment's shaming of silence over Beijing's choice of the head of Beijing's delegation to the Coronation festivities.

A tense debate over China's involvement in the historic event could have tipped over the upcoming Coronation last night. Vice President Han Zheng (right), who oversaw a brutal crackdown on freedom in Hong Kong, would attend the party on Saturday, according to Beijing. Lord Patten (left), Hong Kong's last British governor, said China's decision to nominate Mr Han as its representative demonstrated that the country did not give the country 'two hoots' about the UK. On Sunday, the Mail revealed that Charles was dissatisfied with the 1997 handover of Hong Kong from Britain to China, dubbed 'The Great Chinese Takeaway'. In his personal journals, he also referred to Chinese government officials as "appalling old waxworks."

With Han Zheng, the Foreign Secretary confirmed that he would raise questions regarding Hong Kong and human rights abuses in Xinjiang province, but that "engagement does not imply agreement" with China. Mr Han, who has been chastised for a crackdown on Hong Kong's liberation, was recently appointed as the deputy of President Xi Jinping. His attendance is divisive. Former Tories, including former Prime Minister Sir Iain Duncan Smith, have sluggishly sluggish against Mr Han's invitation. However, Mr Cleverly stated that it would be'counterproductive' for the UK to'gag' itself by refusing to speak with Beijing's officials, and that refusing to speak with Beijing's representatives would be 'counterproductive.'

IAN BIRREL: As he returned from the ceremonies marking the handover of Hong Kong to China in July 1997, the future King Charles (left) jotted down his thoughts on what he had seen in a 3,000-word journal. 'Appalling old waxworks,' he recalled as he watched goose-stepping soldiers march down the Union Flag in a 'awful Soviet-style display.' Despite the naive hope that Beijing would hold the "one country, two systems" deal with Britain, whereby Hong Kong would be treated differently from mainland China, with more freedom and democracy. He reflected on leaving the city-state 'to her destiny' and wished that 'Martin Lee, the Democratic leader, would not be arrested.' . .. '

ANDREW NEIL: There are times when you don't have anything useful to say, it's best to say nothing. advice from Foreign Secretary James Cleverly: When he gave a supposedly keynote address at the Mansion House, London's grand residence, the Lord Mayor of London's grand residence, in the City, at Mansion House, you should stay away this week. Politicians, I suppose, will never turn down a bully pulpit. His topic was China, and his aim was to extol the virtues of continuing to work with the world's second largest economy. Things went downhill from there. No one serious believes that China can only be wished away. It is too large, too many, and too heavy, making it unadequate for it to be a choice. The rise of China is the seminal geopolitical event of the 21st century, and it is far from ending. However, what Britain means by engagement remains a mystery, even after our Foreign Secretary's vacuous musings.

RICHARD EDEN: The extraordinary event is chronicled in a new book called Charles: The King and Wales, in which the author, Huw Thomas, discusses the possibility that Charles might have seen him as Prince of Wales (left), being filmed at the wheel of his Aston Martin, was filmed around the globe. As the Severn Bridge (top right) - officially, the Second Severn Crossing, which Charles had opened in 1996, was re-named Prince of Wales Bridge in 2018, honoring 60 years since the Queen made him the Prince of Wales. Officials at Clarence House were 'up for it,' according to Thomas, Business Correspondent for BBC Wales, who claims that Charles would have been filmed crossing from England to Wales.