Zhou Yongkang

China on Monday accused Britain's Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) of recruiting a couple who worked for the central government to spy for the U.K., adding to months of mutual espionage allegations between Beijing and Western powers.

Xi Jinping secured a historic third term as China's leader on Sunday and filled his inner circle with close allies, achieving after a decade in power complete dominance over the ruling Communist Party.

Former Chinese security chief Zhou Yongkang, the highest ranking ex-official to be investigated for corruption in decades, was sentenced on June 11 to life in prison at a secret trial, state-media said.