A former Border Force officer accused of conducting shadow police operations in the UK led a lion dance troupe which performed at Number 10 Downing Street to celebrate Chinese New Year, a court has heard.
Dual Chinese-British national Peter Wai, 38, also worked as a special constable with the City of London Police when he allegedly committed offences under the National Security Act.
He was allegedly tasked by former Hong Kong police superintendent Bill Yuen, 65, to gather intelligence and carry out surveillance for China.
Targets included Hong Kong pro-democracy protesters and dissidents living in the UK and British politicians sympathetic to their cause, jurors have heard.
Wai is accused of misusing his position to make unauthorised searches of the Home Office computer system for individuals of interest to China.
Giving evidence on Thursday, Wai told jurors that he was a master or teacher in the Chinese martial art of lion dancing.
He said that his group performed all over the country including at Number 10 Downing Street for Chinese New Year.
Wai was asked about his membership of a WeChat group called Eagle Point Human Resources Company.
The prosecution allege Wai used it to share intelligence about a pro-democracy group called Hongkongers in the UK, which was supported by the last British governor of Hong Kong, Chris Patten.
It was also via the Eagle Point chat that Wai was allegedly instructed to find out about high-profile dissidents living in the UK.
However, Wai told jurors Eagle Point Human Resources was a company run by his lion dance master.
He said the firm provided staff for industries such as catering and construction as well as lion dance events.
Wai said his master was also concerned that people were travelling to the UK from Hong Kong after seeing unrealistically positive images on social media.
Defence barrister Aftab Jafferjee KC asked: "What is it that he wanted particular help with?"
Wai replied: "Tell people what UK is really like."
Wai and Yuen are jointly charged with assisting a foreign intelligence service and foreign interference.
Wai is also accused of misconduct in a public office.
Wai, of Staines-upon-Thames, Surrey; and Yuen, of Hackney, east London, have denied wrongdoing.
The Old Bailey trial continues.
