A former CIA station chief has warned that China’s overseas spy operations are actively targeting U.S. military service members and government employees, following the recent arrests of two active-duty Army soldiers accused of selling classified information to individuals in China.
According to the Department of Justice, Jian Zhao and Li Tian were arrested in early March after allegedly selling “Top Secret” information. Both soldiers have been indicted by federal grand juries in Washington and Oregon.
Federal prosecutors allege that Li Tian sold sensitive military information to a former soldier, Ruoyu Duan, who purportedly received funds from individuals residing in China. Tian allegedly received tens of thousands of dollars in exchange for the classified data, which included a Google Drive link to documents about the Stryker combat vehicle and additional sensitive information on U.S. weapons systems.
Prosecutors stated that these incidents underscore China’s efforts to utilize “cut-outs” – individuals trusted by Chinese intelligence services – to gather sensitive information that could benefit the Chinese government. These “cut-outs” then recruit individuals with access to or knowledge of U.S. government information, including both current and former government officials.
Court documents reveal that security footage allegedly captured Li Tian bringing his personal cellphone into a classified area at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington in May 2024, printing a classified document, and leaving with it. He allegedly returned over three hours later with the same document. Prosecutors also allege that Tian took screenshots of sensitive information on multiple occasions.
In a related case at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Jian Zhao is accused of selling classified information to an unnamed co-conspirator. Federal prosecutors claim that Zhao received at least $15,000 for the documents, which included the alleged sale of 20 military hard drives to an individual in China, some labeled “Secret.” Zhao allegedly conspired to sell information related to the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System and details concerning U.S. military readiness in the event of a conflict with China.
FBI Director Kash Patel commented on the charges, stating, “While bribery and corruption have thrived under China’s Communist Party, this behavior cannot be tolerated with our service members who are entrusted with sensitive military information, including national defense information.”
Former CIA station chief Dan Hoffman told Fox News Digital that he believes all individuals serving in the U.S. government are potential targets for Chinese espionage. “I think anybody who serves in the U.S. government is in the crosshairs. And China will do it,” Hoffman said. He explained that China’s recruitment operations can be sophisticated, sometimes involving individuals posing as someone else or contacting targets on social media platforms. Hoffman emphasized that obtaining intelligence from the U.S. military is a top priority for the Chinese government, especially given the potential for future conflict.
Michael Sobolik, a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute, described the Chinese Communist Party’s tactics as “shameless” and part of a “new Cold War.” He expressed concern over the “low price that a lot of Americans are willing to sell their patriotism and their allegiance for” in exchange for sensitive military secrets.
The article also notes that China’s espionage efforts extend beyond the U.S. military, targeting other aspects of American society, including academia. It cites a case from October 2024 where five former University of Michigan students were charged with allegedly spying on a National Guard training center for the Chinese government.
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