A US spy agency released a new Chinese-language video targeting Chinese military personnel, prompting a sharp response from Beijing, which vowed to take “all necessary measures” against foreign espionage activities, China’s foreign ministry said on Friday, as quoted by the AFP news agency.
The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) released a video on its YouTube channel on Thursday that appears to target disgruntled officers and calls for information on China’s leaders and armed forces.
China’s foreign ministry condemned the move, calling it “anti-Chinese forces” and vowing to take the required measures to protect national security, although it remains unclear what measures Beijing may take.
“China will take all necessary measures to resolutely fight the infiltration and sabotage activities of foreign anti-China forces and resolutely protect national sovereignty, security and development interests,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said during a press conference when asked about the video.
What did the video show?
The US agency’s video depicts a fictional Chinese officer who decided to approach the CIA after concluding that “the only thing the leaders protect is their own interest” and that “their power is based on countless lies.”
It shows a Chinese officer spending time with his family, then secretly working in his car in the pouring rain. He is shown pulling out a laptop and writing on it saying, “Choosing this path is my way of fighting for my family and my country.”
The message accompanying the clip is meant to emotionally persuade people and encourage them to share information about Beijing’s top leaders, the military and other sensitive areas, AFP reported.
“Do you have information on senior Chinese leaders? Are you a military officer or have dealings with the military? Do you work in intelligence, diplomacy, economics, science, or high-tech fields, or do you deal with people who work in these fields?”
“Please contact us. We want to understand the truth,” the text reads, adding that the CIA can be contacted “securely through our hidden Tor service.”
Beijing condemns the post
The latest challenge came after the agency released a series of similar videos last year as part of a broader effort to strengthen intelligence gathering on China. CIA Director John Ratcliffe said at the time that the campaign was aimed at recruiting Chinese officials, particularly those who may be disaffected or facing internal pressures.
They are “just one of the many ways we refine our craft,” Ratcliffe said.
Beijing condemned the posts at the time as “naked political provocation” and said Washington was “not only maliciously defaming and attacking China, but also openly lying and luring Chinese personnel to surrender,” AFP reported.