Washington, July 2
Two Chinese nationals have been charged in the US with engaging in espionage activities on behalf of China, including photographing a naval base, coordinating a clandestine cash drop, and attempting to recruit members of the US military, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said on Wednesday (Indian time).
The federal case, filed in San Francisco and unsealed on Monday (US time), is the latest in a series of prosecutions aimed at curbing what American officials describe as the Chinese government's relentless efforts to gather intelligence on US military operations.
The allegations echo a broader trend, which gained international attention two years ago when a Chinese surveillance balloon was shot down over the coast of South Carolina.
"This case underscores the Chinese government's sustained and aggressive effort to infiltrate our military and undermine our national security from within," said Attorney General Pam Bondi in a statement.
The DOJ identified the accused as Yuance Chen, 38, who came to the United States on a visa in 2015 and later obtained lawful permanent residency, and Liren "Ryan" Lai, 39, a Chinese national who allegedly traveled to Texas earlier this year to oversee covert espionage efforts for China's Ministry of State Security (MSS).
Both men were arrested on charges of acting covertly on behalf of the Chinese government without registering as foreign agents, which is required under US law.