Documents Reveal Duke's Quest for Investment and Ties to Expelled National

Prince Andrew and the Chinese Connection

Documents have revealed that Prince Andrew sought secret advice from senior Chinese Communist officials as he attempted to raise £2.5 billion for his company. The Duke of York planned to leverage the royal family's influence to secure funding for his now-aborted Pitch@Palace entrepreneurs' scheme in China.

This revelation comes after Andrew's close confidant, Yang Tengbo, was removed from the UK on national security grounds due to alleged ties to Chinese intelligence. Documents found on Mr. Yang's phone included a crib sheet for a planned call between Yang and the Duke, indicating that China's ambassador to London, Zheng Zeguang, viewed Andrew as a valuable communication channel.

Further documents suggest that Andrew sought advice from Jiang Jianguo, a minister of China's State Council Information Office, in 2019. Alistair Michie, secretary-general of the British East Asia Council, facilitated this communication, emphasizing the value of Andrew's insights for the Chinese government.

Pitch@Palace, a Dragons' Den-style mentoring network established by Andrew, aimed to connect start-up firms with potential investors. The Chinese arm of the fund intended to establish a "golden triangle of friendship" between the Duke, Middle Eastern nations, and China, leveraging the royal family's apolitical and enduring influence.

Mr. Yang, who was detained in 2021, was found with letters addressed to Beijing's United Front Work Department, a CCP agency tasked with influencing foreign officials. He reportedly used his connections to secure access to Buckingham Palace and other royal residences, and allegedly met with former Prime Ministers David Cameron and Theresa May.

While Mr. Yang maintains his innocence, these revelations raise concerns about Prince Andrew's judgment and potential vulnerability to foreign influence.