Two Navy sailors in California have been arrested and indicted on suspicion of providing sensitive military information to Chinese intelligence officers. Jinchao Wei, who worked at Naval Base San Diego, and Petty Officer Wenheng Zhao, who worked at Naval Base Ventura County, are facing charges related to espionage. This case highlights China’s determination to acquire critical information that could be used to their advantage. The Justice Department’s assistant attorney general for national security, Matt Olson, emphasized this point during a news conference in San Diego.
Wei, 22, has been charged with spying under the Espionage Act. His role as a machinist’s mate on the USS Essex in San Diego gave him access to sensitive information. According to investigators, Wei received $5,000 in exchange for providing 30 technical and mechanical ship manuals. Remarkably, Wei chose to betray his newly adopted country instead of reporting contact from a Chinese operative.
Zhao, 26, is accused of accepting bribes to supply operational plans for a major military exercise in the Indo-Pacific to a Chinese intelligence officer posing as an economic researcher. The court filing also alleges that Zhao shared photos of blueprints and diagrams of a US radar system on a military base in Okinawa, Japan, in exchange for approximately $15,000. National security officials have long been concerned about China’s quest for US military secrets, particularly in the Pacific region. FBI Director Christopher Wray recently emphasized the Chinese government’s status as the greatest threat to American innovation, economic security, and national security.
In conclusion, these arrests serve as a reminder of the ongoing espionage activities that pose significant risks to the United States. It is crucial to remain vigilant and take appropriate measures to protect sensitive information to maintain our national defense.
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