China targets US military members in overseas spy operations, former CIA station chief warns
Share this @internewscast.com

A former CIA station chief says China has U.S. military service members and government employees in the “crosshairs” of its overseas spy operations.

Jian Zhao and Li Tian, both serving as active-duty soldiers in the Army, were taken into custody in early March for allegedly providing “Top Secret” information to people in China, as stated by the Department of Justice. Both Zhao and Tian were indicted by federal grand juries in Washington and Oregon.

According to federal prosecutors, Tian provided sensitive military information to a former soldier named Ruoyu Duan, who reportedly received payments from contacts in China. Tian then reportedly collected tens of thousands of dollars from selling this sensitive information.

The documents Tian allegedly sold included a Google Drive link with classified information on the Stryker combat vehicle. Tian also reportedly shared additional confidential details on U.S. weapons systems.

Hard drives

Hard drives that Jian Zhao allegedly sold to an individual in China

“I think anybody who serves in the U.S. government is in the crosshairs. And China will do it,” Hoffman said. “Sometimes they’ll run their recruitment operations posing as someone else. So maybe somebody doesn’t want to go spy for China, but they might pretend to be somebody else. Or they might contact you on social media, on LinkedIn or some other site and pose as someone not so nefarious when in fact they are.”

Hoffman said gaining intel from the U.S. military is one of the Chinese government’s “highest requirements.”

“They want to recruit U.S. military because there’s a probability we might go to war with China, and not just U.S. military, but NATO members as well, and throughout Asia. So they’ve got a massive intelligence apparatus,” he said.

China isn’t just targeting the U.S. military. It’s targeting many other aspects of American society as well, including academia.

Five former University of Michigan students were charged in October 2024 after they were allegedly caught spying on a National Guard training center for the Chinese government during a training session with the Taiwanese military.

University of Michigan sign

(Raymond Boyd/Getty Images)

The former University of Michigan students were confronted by a Utah National Guard sergeant major in August 2023 near a lake at Camp Grayling in Michigan.

Michael Sobolik, a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute focusing on U.S. and China relations, told Fox News Digital the Chinese Communist Party “will exercise whatever tactics they feel they need to by hook or crook to get our military secrets,” adding China is “shameless.”

“This is a tactic that China is exercising in the new Cold War that we’re locked in with the Chinese Communist Party. And one of the things that is really striking is the low price that a lot of Americans are willing to sell their patriotism for and their allegiance for. Some of these people didn’t get that much money to sell some really sensitive military secrets over to the Chinese Communist Party,” Sobolik said.

Fox News’ Michael Dorgan contributed to this report.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
On 81st anniversary of D-Day, one US Navy veteran's son is the first American Pope

81 Years After D-Day, Son of US Navy Veteran Becomes First American Pope

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Marking the 81st year…
Rhode Island college graduate Timothy Howard died from allergic reaction days after receiving diploma

Rhode Island Graduate Timothy Howard Passes Away from Allergic Reaction Shortly After Graduation

A 22-year-old Rhode Island college graduate, known for his “kind-hearted” nature, passed…
Dems Are Losing Their Minds, Launching the Usual Fear Tactics After SCOTUS Lets DOGE Get on With Its Work

Democrats Panic and Resort to Fear Tactics as Supreme Court Allows DOGE to Proceed

It might seem cliché to repeatedly mention this, but it consistently arises…
Kilmar Abrego Garcia indicted on human trafficking charges, ordered to appear before judge in Nashville

Kilmar Abrego Garcia Faces Human Trafficking Charges, Must Appear in Nashville Court

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia,…
'USAID' paperwork found in car of Boulder terror attack suspect targeting pro-Israel group

Man Charged in Boulder Firebombing at Pro-Israel Event Faces Federal Hate Crime Allegation in Court

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! The person suspected of…
Sade Robinson case: Jury finds Milwaukee man Maxwell Anderson guilty of killing, dismembering 19-year-old woman after trial

Milwaukee Man, Maxwell Anderson, Found Guilty by Jury in Sade Robinson Murder and Dismemberment Case

MILWAUKEE — A jury found a Milwaukee man guilty Friday of killing…
Asa Ellerup sitting in front of a safe.

Wife of Gilgo Beach Suspect Rex Heuermann Breaks Silence with New Photos Unveiled

THE wife of suspected Gilgo Beach serial killer Rex Heuermann is speaking…
Kayla Harrison taking over as face of women's MMA 'would be an honor'

Kayla Harrison considers it ‘an honor’ to become the leading figure in women’s MMA

The term “the face of women’s MMA” has been around since before…
A man in a suit speaks at a Reform UK press conference.

Reform Chairman Rejoins Party Two Days After Resignation, Citing ‘Exhaustion’

REFORM UK chairman Zia Yusuf has reversed his move to quit the…
President Trump banned travel from 12 countries, but included some exceptions to avoid legal battles

Trump Implements Travel Ban on 12 Nations, Includes Exceptions to Prevent Legal Issues

MIAMI — The recent travel ban affecting citizens from 12 countries and…
Supplement beloved by biohackers may not fight aging after all

Popular Biohacking Supplement’s Effectiveness in Combating Aging Questioned

Biohackers, take note.  A new study suggests that a supplement popular in…
High-altitude view of the Chenab Bridge in Reasi, India.

India Unveils World’s Tallest Railway Bridge, Surpassing Eiffel Tower, in Celebrated £200m “Crown Jewel” Project

THE world’s highest railway bridge has opened – built with 30,000 tonnes…