Retired Personnel Recruited to Steal State Secrets

China Cracks Espionage Case Involving Retired Personnel

Chinese state security authorities have successfully cracked a case involving a foreign espionage agency's attempt to steal state secrets. The agency commissioned a consulting firm operating in China to recruit retired personnel from key positions to gather and steal sensitive information.

The foreign agency targeted a retired individual, surnamed Feng, from a core and sensitive department within a key industry. They exploited his relaxed confidentiality awareness after retirement and his continued connections with former colleagues. Feng was offered a high "consulting fee" and lured into providing confidential information.

Feng later recruited his former subordinate, surnamed Jiang, to assist in gathering intelligence. They used their industry connections to probe into the planning, deployment, and progress of critical projects. They compiled reports and sent them to the foreign agency through the consulting firm, receiving substantial financial rewards in return.

State security authorities gathered evidence and successfully cracked the case. The information provided to the foreign agency was identified as classified state secrets, causing significant harm to national security and interests.

Feng was sentenced to six years in prison, deprived of political rights for two years, and had personal assets confiscated for illegally providing state secrets. Jiang received a five-and-a-half-year prison sentence, political rights deprivation, and asset confiscation for espionage and illegally providing state secrets.

This case highlights the importance of safeguarding national security and the need for vigilance among personnel with access to classified information, even after retirement or resignation. They must remain aware of their confidentiality obligations and avoid any actions that could compromise national security.