Espionage / Counterintelligence

Think-tank report warns that Chinese intelligence facilities in Cuba enable espionage and cyber operations targeting U.S. homeland security interests.

Newly declassified FBI documents reveal former Democratic Congressman Eric Swalwell admitted to FBI investigators that he had a sexual relationship with an alleged PRC intelligence operative.

Newly declassified FBI documents confirm Rep. Eric Swalwell admitted to physical relations with Christine Fang, a suspected Chinese intelligence operative.

Declassified FBI documents confirm that Rep. Eric Swalwell had sexual relations with Christine 'Fang Fang' Fang, identified as a suspected Chinese intelligence operative, on multiple occasions.

Declassified FBI documents confirm U.S. Congressman Eric Swalwell had sexual contact with suspected Chinese intelligence operative Christine Fang on multiple occasions.

South Korean police arrested two former PRC military officers for espionage targeting U.S. and ROK military operations, including signals intelligence collection near Camp Humphreys and joint-exercise reconnaissance.

Two former PRC military personnel arrested in South Korea for espionage operations targeting U.S. military communications and U.S.-South Korean joint defense information.

South Korean police arrested two former Chinese military personnel on espionage charges, indicating PRC intelligence activity targeting a U.S. ally.

UK court upheld approval for PRC's expanded London embassy despite security concerns raised by local opposition, allowing what could become the largest Chinese embassy in the UK to proceed.

Former French fighter pilot charged with providing classified information to a foreign power, reported by AFP via Paris prosecutor's office.

Canadian intern of Chinese origin arrested in Belgium on espionage charges after working at NATO SHAPE headquarters; accused of spying for unspecified third country.

Canadian woman of Chinese origin arrested in Belgium on espionage charges while interning at NATO SHAPE headquarters following NATO security investigation.

Canadian woman of Chinese origin arrested in Belgium on suspicion of espionage at NATO military headquarters after NATO security tip; alleged to have spied for unnamed third country.

Canadian intern of Chinese origin arrested on espionage charges at NATO headquarters in Belgium; suspected affiliation with criminal organization.

Canadian national of Chinese origin arrested on suspicion of espionage at NATO military headquarters in Belgium.

Canadian intern of Chinese origin arrested by Belgian police at NATO SHAPE headquarters on suspicion of espionage for an unidentified third country.

US lawmakers alleged during Congressional hearing that China uses UN peacekeeping personnel deployed to Belt-and-Road-linked locations for espionage purposes.

Experts warn Congress that foreign intelligence services, including PRC actors, are conducting espionage operations targeting U.S. artificial intelligence research facilities.

Former Trump national security advisor warns U.S. counterintelligence is significantly behind PRC threats, citing China's use of U.S. companies for military/intelligence ops and financial-sector underwriting of Chinese military-linked entities.

Former Trump WH national security advisor warns U.S. counterintelligence is inadequately resourced against PRC espionage, IP theft, and influence operations.

Academic researchers identified Chinese and Russian code (including from Huawei) embedded in mobile apps targeted at US military personnel, creating potential data-harvesting vectors for troop location and operational intelligence.

U.S. State Department accuses China of operating three intelligence-gathering facilities in Cuba to monitor American military activity and communications.

Congressional bill proposed to amend U.S. law treating all Chinese businesses as state-controlled arms under PRC national security framework to combat economic espionage.

U.S. scientist Youlin Chen detained in China since November 2024 on espionage charges; family goes public after diplomatic efforts fail.

Former Federal Reserve adviser John Harold Rogers sentenced to 38 months for lying to investigators about sharing sensitive central bank information with Chinese intelligence operatives.

Ex-Federal Reserve advisor sentenced to over 3 years in prison for concealing China intelligence ties; case exemplifies PRC targeting of U.S. institutions.

PRC constructed a full-scale 3D replica of a US Navy destroyer in remote desert location, evidenced by satellite imagery, suggesting military intelligence collection or targeting analysis.

PRC authorities have detained U.S. scientist Chen Youlin for approximately two years on espionage charges related to research on North Korean nuclear tests; family disputes the legitimacy of the detention.

PRC detained U.S. scientist Chen Youlin on espionage charges; family disputes legitimacy of nearly two-year detention.

US seismologist Youlin Chen detained by PRC authorities at Beijing airport since November 2024 on spying charges; wife and advocates dispute the allegations as unjust.

PRC has detained China-born U.S. seismologist Youlin Chen without trial for ~2 years on apparent espionage charges related to seismic data work, despite U.S. diplomatic efforts.

China-born U.S. seismologist Youlin Chen detained for nearly two years without trial on espionage charges after working as U.S. government contractor; case raised by Trump with Xi but no release indicated.

China-born U.S. seismologist Youlin Chen held without trial for nearly 2 years on PRC espionage charges; family and U.S. officials seeking release despite diplomatic efforts.

PRC detained U.S. seismologist Youlin Chen without trial for nearly two years on espionage charges; designated wrongful detainee by State Department with no resolution despite presidential intervention.

U.S. seismologist Youlin Chen detained in China for nearly two years without trial on espionage charges; family and Trump administration seeking release while Chinese authorities have not acted on commitments.

Trump administration alleges China is using Cuba as a spying platform against U.S. interests, though details are limited and unverified.

Taiwan's military outsourcing of academy guard duties to private firms raises espionage risks allegedly linked to Beijing infiltration.

UN Ambassador Waltz alleges that China and Russia are conducting intelligence collection around U.S. military bases in Cuba as part of a broader national security threat assessment of the Cuban regime.

U.S. Ambassador to UN alleges Chinese and Russian intelligence sites in Cuba pose active national security threat to U.S. interests in the Western Hemisphere.

Taiwan prosecutors charge two businessmen for allegedly facilitating PRC espionage operations by leasing LINE messaging accounts to Chinese intelligence agents.

Taiwanese authorities charged two executives for facilitating PRC cyber-espionage operations targeting ICIJ journalists and Western-based diaspora activists (Uyghur, Tibetan, Hong Kong groups) via compromised LINE accounts.

Taiwan restarts anti-communist education program for military graduates citing PRC infiltration attempts and recent espionage cases involving service members.

Chinese think tank analyzed satellite imagery of US-Philippine military base expansions under EDCA, reporting slower-than-expected construction progress as part of broader geopolitical repositioning assessment.

Taiwan's president warns military cadets of increased Chinese espionage operations targeting Taiwan's armed forces, reflecting documented PRC intelligence activity against U.S.-aligned interests.

China's MSS publicly warns that geospatial data from a popular AR mobile game may be harvested by a foreign defense-linked company to train military AI models.

Poll data showing generational differences in U.S. threat perception of PRC across espionage, military, and fentanyl concerns, with 80%+ overall concern despite younger cohort skepticism.

China's secretive space plane released an unidentified orbital object that experts assess could be a reconnaissance satellite, representing potential PRC surveillance capability development.

Senators Cotton and Lee allege PRC nationals may be covertly gathering sensitive information from U.S. National Laboratory complex and urge Trump administration to restrict Chinese access.

Two Hong Kong-based individuals linked to a PRC trade office were jailed by UK courts for spying on activists; PRC embassy protested the convictions.

Chinese national pleads guilty to photographing U.S. Air Force aircraft; sentenced to time served with supervised release conditions.

UK Border Force officer and Hong Kong trade official convicted and sentenced for espionage on behalf of China, marking first conviction under UK National Security Act.

UK court jailed a border official and retired Hong Kong police officer for spying on Beijing dissidents and critics on behalf of Chinese intelligence, breaching the National Security Act.

UK court convicted two dual Chinese-British nationals of spying for China/Hong Kong, marking Britain's first espionage convictions for PRC-linked activity.

UK court convicted a Home Office official and former Hong Kong policeman of operating a PRC state spy ring in Britain, resulting in combined 18-year sentences.

PRC Ministry of State Security alleged on social media that foreign spy operations using biotech (turtles) are conducting surveillance in Chinese waters.

Indian authorities identified a decade-long infiltration of unregulated Chinese CCTV surveillance hardware in sensitive Indian locations as a counterintelligence threat, exemplified by the Ghaziabad espionage case.

Google disclosed discovery of PRC-linked threat actors maintaining persistent access to U.S. medical and military networks for over one year.

Chinese authorities arrested American researcher Min Zin on espionage charges related to alleged threats to national security.

Taiwan's intelligence agency establishes a secure webpage to solicit intelligence tips from Chinese nationals, representing an effort to cultivate sources within the PRC and counter Beijing's intelligence operations.

UC Berkeley doctoral student accused of espionage by Chinese authorities; context involves Trump-Xi talks on bilateral tensions.

Chinese authorities have accused a UC Berkeley doctoral student and Myanmar dissident of espionage following his travel to China for academic purposes.

Chinese authorities have accused a UC Berkeley doctoral student and Myanmar dissident of espionage following his travel to China for academic purposes.

U.S. citizen arrested in China by Chinese government on espionage charges.

PRC arrested US scholar Min Zin on espionage suspicion in Kunming; scholar has Myanmar activism background and founded think tank on China-Myanmar relations.

PRC government arrested U.S. scholar Min Zin on espionage and national-security charges; case exemplifies PRC targeting of U.S. citizens and Western researchers with sensitive regional knowledge.

PRC arrested U.S.-based scholar Min Zin on espionage charges; scholar directed Myanmar-focused think tank and had history of Myanmar activism.

China's Minister of State Security alleges covert foreign espionage activities in Chinese waters using concealed surveillance devices, reflecting PRC counterintelligence concerns.

PRC authorities confirmed arrest of US citizen Min Zin, a political analyst, on espionage and national-security charges.

PRC authorities arrested US academic Min Zin at a conference on suspicion of espionage related to Myanmar and Chinese foreign policy.

PRC authorities arrested U.S. researcher U Min Zin on espionage charges; no details provided on evidence or allegations.

PRC authorities arrested U.S. researcher U Min Zin on espionage charges related to national security.

U.S. scholar Min Zin arrested in Yunnan province by Chinese authorities on espionage charges; notable for rarity of PRC formally charging American citizens with espionage.

PRC arrested American scholar Min Zin on espionage charges; he researches Myanmar and Chinese foreign policy and has history of activism against Beijing-aligned interests.

PRC arrested a US citizen on espionage charges, an incident occurring amid US-China bilateral relationship stabilization efforts.

Chinese authorities arrested a U.S. scholar with Myanmar activism history on espionage charges.

PRC detained U.S. scholar Min Zin in Yunnan on espionage charges; he founded a think tank on Chinese foreign policy and Myanmar trade, and has a history of pro-democracy activism.

PRC government arrested a US researcher specializing in Myanmar politics on suspicion of espionage.

FBI announced seizure of over a dozen websites used in PRC operation targeting U.S. military-background personnel with access to classified information.

Five Eyes intelligence agencies issued a formal warning about PRC-linked espionage operations using job-listing websites as vectors for surveillance and data collection targeting Western personnel.

FBI seized 13 domains linked to Chinese intelligence services used to target US officials with security clearances through fake consulting-company fronts and AI-generated content for recruitment and coercion.

FBI seized 13 websites allegedly used by Chinese state actors to target and recruit U.S. government workers with access to classified or sensitive information.

FBI seized 13 websites used by China to target and recruit U.S. workers with classified access through fake job postings and AI-generated identities, using cryptocurrency for concealment.

DOJ and FBI seized 13 websites operated by suspected Chinese agents targeting U.S. security clearance holders to obtain classified information.

DOJ and FBI seized 13 domains operated by suspected Chinese intelligence agents targeting U.S. security clearance holders for classified information access.

California mayor pleaded guilty to acting as a PRC intelligence agent, attempting to shift blame to boyfriend.

California mayor pleaded guilty to espionage charges related to PRC intelligence operations, with defendant attempting to shift blame to boyfriend.

A hidden camera was discovered in a UK government building (Whitehall) where ministers approved plans for a Chinese embassy expansion, raising concerns about PRC surveillance and intelligence collection.

Report alleges Beijing is directing Chinese triads to conduct espionage in the UK and use blackmail operations against MPs via illicit establishments.

U.S. and Five Eyes partners report that PRC military intelligence is using fake recruiter profiles on job platforms to target U.S. officials, journalists, and academics for espionage; ICIJ confirmed direct targeting.

U.S. citizen Thomas Weir Pauken II pleaded guilty to acting as an unregistered agent for Chinese intelligence, gathering information on American targets and attempting to infiltrate political circles.

PRC-linked satellite company released high-resolution imagery of U.S. tech-sector HQs after U.S. sanctions, suggesting reconnaissance activity targeting sensitive U.S. commercial infrastructure.

U.S. intelligence agencies warn that PRC is using LinkedIn and job boards to recruit individuals with access to classified information for espionage purposes.

Five Eyes alliance issues warning that PRC intelligence officers are using job recruitment platforms to solicit insiders in government, military, and classified-access positions via front-company recruiters.

Five Eyes intelligence alliance accused China of running a coordinated social-media recruitment campaign using AI-generated deceptive offers to recruit spies, which China denied as fabricated.

Five Eyes agencies issue formal warning that PRC operatives are using LinkedIn, Indeed, and Upwork to recruit cleared U.S. defense and security personnel for classified information via social engineering and financial incentives.

Five Eyes intelligence alliance publicly warns that PRC agents are conducting targeted espionage against U.S. and Western government/military personnel using fake LinkedIn and Indeed job postings to solicit classified information.

MI5 warns that Chinese intelligence services are using fraudulent job postings to recruit and extract secrets from British military personnel.

US and Five Eyes partners jointly warn that PRC military intelligence services are using LinkedIn and professional networking platforms to recruit US government and military personnel with classified-information access.

MI5 and Five Eyes warn that Chinese intelligence operatives are using LinkedIn fake-job recruitment to target UK government and military personnel with security clearances.

China-linked espionage groups conducted cyber attacks against a dozen Latin American nations targeting maritime, energy, and geopolitical intelligence.

U.S. demands Cuba close Russian and Chinese spy outposts as part of Trump administration pressure campaign; article examines historical covert operations by both U.S. and Cuban agents.

Eileen Wang, former Arcadia mayor, entered a plea in federal court admitting to espionage for the PRC.

Former California mayor admitted to being a Chinese spy, indicating PRC intelligence recruitment and espionage operations targeting U.S. local government officials.

U.S. officials and analysts allege that China and Russia are expanding intelligence facilities in Cuba near U.S. military bases to conduct surveillance of U.S. military operations and communications.

U.S. officials warn that China and Russia are expanding intelligence collection facilities in Cuba near key U.S. military bases, with capability to monitor U.S. military operations via electronic surveillance.

China's State Secrets Protection authority publicly warned via CCTV documentary that foreign spies disguise as wedding photographers near naval ports and use advanced radar/GPS optics on vehicles to collect sensitive data.

PRC court sentenced aerospace engineer Zhu to 15 years for espionage after allegedly leaking classified aerospace and defense secrets overseas.

US author and Texas politician's son charged with espionage for providing classified information to China.

German authorities arrested two Munich residents suspected of working for Chinese intelligence to obtain and transmit high-tech information with military applications.

Expert Gordon Chang asserts PRC is conducting 'unrestricted warfare' against US via fentanyl trafficking, espionage, sabotage, and maintains covert biological and police facilities on US soil.

BBC reports PRC secret police conducting espionage operations against Chinese expats in the US, citing two documented cases as evidence of China's broader transnational influence and intelligence activities.

Trump administration investigation of US biology lab lockdown triggered by smuggling inquiry involving Chinese postdoc; months-long ongoing probe.

US officials implement operational security measures (stripped devices, controlled comms) during Trump's China visit to mitigate PRC surveillance and hacking threats, reflecting longstanding counterintelligence concerns about device compromise on PRC soil.

US officials traveling with President Trump to China are implementing enhanced security protocols (stripped-down devices, controlled communications) to counter assumed PRC surveillance and hacking threats during the visit.

Former Arcadia Mayor Eileen Wang federally charged with acting as illegal agent for Chinese government; DHS Secretary attributes infiltration to California sanctuary policies.

21-year-old Chinese national pleaded guilty to photographing military aircraft at a U.S. military base, raising espionage and counterintelligence concerns.

Former California mayor Eileen Wang pleaded guilty to acting as a covert Chinese agent and faces 10-year prison sentence.

California mayor admitted to being a secret spy for China, with discrepancies between her public appearance and photoshopped images raising authenticity questions.

California mayor admitted to being a secret spy for China, raising counterintelligence concerns about infiltration of U.S. local government.

Two PRC-linked individuals convicted in UK for spying on Hong Kong dissident Nathan Law—first Chinese espionage conviction in British criminal history.

Taiwan prosecutors indicted a news anchor for allegedly accepting cryptocurrency payments from a PRC 'overseas hostile force' to produce propaganda and bribe military personnel.

UK Border Force officer exposed as PRC spy; two men convicted of surveilling Chinese dissidents in Britain, indicating PRC intelligence and transnational repression operations on British soil.

Philippine military reports apprehension of Filipino nationals recruited by PRC intelligence through fake job postings to steal classified military data and vessel coordinates.

UK court convicts two men—a Border Force officer and Hong Kong trade official—of spying for China in a 'shadow policing' operation targeting dissidents, marking first such convictions in British history.

UK Border Force officer and former Hong Kong policeman convicted of espionage for PRC; case exposes Beijing's shadow policing operations targeting Western interests.

U.S. senators demand AI companies strengthen safeguards against insider threats and unauthorized access by Chinese nationals to sensitive AI systems.

FBI extradited Chinese MSS-linked hacker Xu Zewei to the US for targeting COVID-19 research at American universities in 2020-2021; extradition facilitated by international collaboration.

Chinese hacker Xu Zewei extradited to U.S. to face charges for allegedly stealing COVID-19 research from American institutions under direction of China's Ministry of State Security.

Researchers report China-linked hackers conducted phishing campaigns against journalists and activists to harvest credentials for presumed follow-on espionage operations.

Italy extradited Chinese national Xu Zewei to the US on charges of hacking universities to steal COVID-19 vaccine research, representing a PRC-linked cyber-espionage and IP-theft operation.

Chinese national arrested at JFK for unauthorized photography of sensitive U.S. military aircraft at Offutt AFB and alleged targeting of additional U.S. military installations.

Former U.S. Marine pilot Daniel Duggan's extradition to the U.S. approved by Australian court; faces charges for unauthorized military aviation training provided to Chinese military aviators.

Former US Marine pilot Daniel Duggan lost his extradition appeal in Australia after being arrested in 2022 for allegedly illegally training the Chinese military in South Africa.

Former US Marine pilot Daniel Duggan lost his appeal against extradition from Australia on charges of illegally training Chinese military personnel in South Africa.

FBI announces arrest of former U.S. Air Force pilot Gerald Eddie Brown Jr. for allegedly providing defense services to the Chinese military.

Former U.S. Navy sailor Jinchao Wei sentenced to 200 months for espionage on behalf of China after arrest at Naval Base San Diego in August 2023.

Naturalized U.S. citizen Yuanjun Tang pleaded guilty to conspiring to act as an unregistered agent of the PRC, representing illegal foreign-government representation within the United States.

U.S. State Department employee sentenced to 48 months for conspiracy to transmit national defense information to suspected Chinese government agents.

Active-duty U.S. Navy sailor Jinchao Wei convicted of espionage and export violations for attempting to sell classified military secrets to a Chinese intelligence officer.

Former JBLM soldier Joseph Daniel Schmidt pleaded guilty to two federal felonies for attempting to disclose classified military information to China.

Former U.S. Army intelligence analyst sentenced to 84 months for conspiring to sell classified military information to a PRC-affiliated individual.

Active-duty and former U.S. Army soldiers with Chinese names arrested for bribery, theft of government property, and conspiracy to transmit national defense information to unauthorized persons.

FBI arrested and indicted former Federal Reserve senior adviser John Harold Rogers for economic espionage and conspiracy to steal Federal Reserve trade secrets on behalf of the PRC.

Florida IT worker Ping Li sentenced to 48 months for conspiring to act as agent of Chinese government; $250,000 fine and 3-year supervised release imposed.

FBI Director Wray convened Five Eyes intelligence chiefs to address CCP as the primary threat to global innovation and international economic espionage.

FBI is conducting forensic examination of a Chinese high-altitude balloon shot down by U.S. military off South Carolina on February 5, representing a significant security and diplomatic incident.

FBI Director Wray delivered a speech at Reagan Library addressing PRC government and CCP threats to U.S. national security.