BEIJING: China has uncovered a Chinese national, allegedly involved in spying for the United States (US) Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).
The state broadcaster reported on Friday that the Chinese national who worked for a military industrial group was offered money and immigration to the US in exchange for sensitive military information.
According to the officials, Zeng signed an agreement with the United States and also received training before returning to China to carry out spying activities.
According to a CCTV report, Zeng was regarded as a classified person and was sent to Italy to pursue further education but there, he became acquainted with a United States embassy official. The TV reported that Zeng was found to have signed an espionage agreement with the US and also received training before returning to China to carry out espionage activities.
CCTV said, “compulsory measures” had been taken against Zeng, however, it did not offer any further details. China has been increasing its oversight of possible espionage activities.
The security ministry of the country has said the nation should encourage its citizens to report suspicious activity. The ministry stated a system that makes it “normal” for the people to participate in counter-espionage must be established.
Last month, China legislated an anti-espionage law which bans transfer of any national security information without defining those terms.
The new law alarmed the US while the EU ambassador to China had said in May he was not sure the opening up of the Chinese economy was compatible with the counter-espionage law.
“We do have concerns over it, certainly encouraging citizens to spy on each other is something that’s of great concern,” Matt Miller, the US State Department spokesperson had said.
“We are closely monitoring the implementation of China’s new counter-espionage law as we have been, which as written greatly expands the scope of what activities are considered espionage,” he said.
In recent years, China has arrested dozens of Chinese and foreign nationals over spying charges. The country’s declaration that it is under threat from spies comes as Western nations, most prominently the United States, accuse China of espionage and cyberattacks, a charge that Beijing has dismissed.
