The Chinese Ministry of Public Security announced today, Friday, that it has uncovered espionage activities by a citizen on behalf of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency, highlighting what it claims are the dangers of recruiting Chinese nationals abroad.
The ministry released a statement indicating that a U.S. intelligence agent based in Italy recruited the citizen, referred to as "Cheng." The mentioned citizen worked for a military industrial company. Cheng was sent to Italy for further studies, where he met the U.S. intelligence agent.
According to the ministry, during dinner parties, outings, and opera events, a "close" relationship developed between the two. The statement noted that the U.S. intelligence agent, after successfully "undermining" Cheng's political stance, requested sensitive information about the Chinese military. The statement did not specify when this occurred.
The U.S. intelligence agent is identified as "Seth." The ministry stated, "It was found that Cheng signed a spying agreement with the United States and received training before returning to China." It added that the intelligence agent promised him a large sum of money and arrangements for his family's immigration to the United States in exchange for the information.
Furthermore, it reported that Cheng provided significant intelligence on several occasions after returning to China and received money for this. The statement concluded that coercive measures have been taken against Cheng, which typically means detention.
