The United States Department of Justice has charged two Chinese nationals, Yuance Chen and Liren “Ryan” Lai, with espionage-related offenses, accusing them of acting on behalf of China’s Ministry of State Security (MSS) to infiltrate the US military and gather naval intelligence. According to the FBI, Lai, 39, operated as part of an MSS network that could travel freely between China and the US. He began cultivating Chen, 38, a legal US resident, as an asset around 2021. Chen allegedly had contacts within the US military, prompting Lai to encourage him to travel internationally to discuss these connections, offering to pay for the trips. The affidavit details that the two men engaged in a series of clandestine activities, including gathering intelligence on Navy bases and personnel, attempting to recruit individuals for MSS operations, and facilitating payments in exchange for sensitive information. In one incident, Chen left a backpack containing ten thousand dollars in a California locker as payment for intelligence. Chen also reportedly collected and sent information on Navy personnel to Lai and discussed recruitment strategies with MSS agents. One notable event involved Chen traveling to San Diego to meet a Navy hire and tour the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier, where he posed for photos with the service member and their child. The FBI stated that the alleged espionage was part of China's broader effort to modernize its navy and establish dominance in the South China Sea. The accused were charged under the Foreign Agent Registration Act, which mandates disclosure of foreign affiliations. Attorney General Pamela Bondi emphasized the case as an example of China's persistent efforts to undermine US national security. US officials pledged continued counterespionage efforts against foreign threats, while Beijing has denied involvement and accused Washington of discrimination.
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