In a recent statement, the Ministry of National Security explicitly identified the United States’ Central Intelligence Agency as the organization responsible for training and employing a spy to steal China’s military and industrial technologies.
The ministry asserted that the suspected individual, who has been detained, was a staff member at a military-industrial company, who was sent to Italy for educational purposes. During his time there, he was approached and enticed by the CIA to become a spy through promises of substantial financial compensation and help for him and his family to emigrate to the US. The suspect was subsequently trained by the CIA to carry out espionage activities and gather sensitive information for his US handlers.
This incident raises concerns about the efforts of CIA Director William Burns to develop an intelligence network within China while affirming the Ministry of National Security’s earlier call for increased vigilance among the nation’s citizens.
Despite its status as the world’s sole superpower, the US has a persistent inclination to employ morally and legally questionable tactics when dealing with perceived adversaries and even its allies. The US boasts the largest spy network globally, engages in phone tapping activities even against its allies, spearheads the Five Eyes intelligence alliance, and is actively trying to gain a foothold for the transatlantic military alliance, NATO, in the Asia-Pacific by facilitating intelligence sharing with Japan. Former US president Donald Trump appointed a former CIA director as secretary of state, and the present occupant of the White House President Joe Biden appointed William Burns, the current CIA director, to his Cabinet.
Taken together, these indicators paint the US as an empire of espionage. Yet this paragon of spying feels aggrieved that China has called on its citizens to participate in counter-espionage work. This is akin to a thief expressing anger toward a homeowner for installing a security system.
Regardless of the thief’s protestations, it is imperative that the homeowner be on the alert and take precautions. The US has long targeted Chinese scholars studying abroad. It is vital for the entire nation to be aware of the persistent espionage endeavors of the US.
Other nations can also learn a lesson from China. Even if they are friends or allies of the US, it is advisable that they fortify their defenses to ward themselves against this spying empire’s surreptitious snooping.