CHINA: China’s state security ministry announced on Monday that they are looking into a Chinese citizen who has been accused of engaging in espionage for the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).
A 39-year-old Chinese national, identified as Hao and employed as a cadre at a ministry, had travelled to Japan for educational purposes, which was at the time when spying recruitment took place, the ministry stated. The individual’s gender was not revealed.
The announcement occurred within a fortnight of the ministry’s revelation about a different citizen believed to be engaged in espionage for the CIA, having been enlisted in Italy.
The ministry stated that Hao had met a US embassy official referred to as “Ted” when dealing with a visa application. He invited Hao for meals, exchanged gifts, and requested assistance with a paper, which he agreed to pay for.
Ted introduced Hao to a fellow colleague named Li Jun before concluding his embassy tenure in Japan. Following Ted’s departure, Hao and Li Jun continued to maintain a “cooperative relationship”.
Before Hao finished his studies, Li confessed that he was a member of the CIA stationed in Tokyo and “instigated Hao into rebelling,” ordering Hao to go back to China and join a “core and critical unit.” According to the statement, Hao agreed to undergo training and evaluation by the US under an espionage agreement.
The ministry stated that after his return, Hao worked in a national department “in accordance with the requirements of the CIA” and gave the agency intelligence while receiving American pay. In recent years, the relationship between the United States and China has deteriorated due to various concerns, including national security.
Washington has alleged that Beijing engages in espionage and cyberattacks, claims that China has denied. Additionally, China has asserted that it faces threats from foreign spies.
This month, China has urged its citizens to engage in counter-espionage efforts following the expansion of its anti-spying legislation in July, alarming the United States.
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