Chinese Veteran Arrested for Alleged Espionage in Military Secrets Case

Chinese authorities revealed that a veteran has been arrested on suspicion of collaborating with foreign espionage and intelligence agencies to pilfer military secrets. The Ministry of State Security, emphasizing the critical importance of military security to national safety, stated that information related to troop deployments, weapon setups, and military camp environments is especially sensitive and frequently targeted by outside spies.

The investigation took an unexpected turn when officials discovered a domestic social media account known as “Winter Night” was frequently communicating with foreign operatives. This account was repeatedly used to send photos and videos depicting strategic military details from a location near China’s border. However, further analysis revealed that the phone number associated with the account belonged to an elderly individual far removed from any espionage activity, suggesting that someone else was using the account as a cover.

By sifting through vast amounts of data, state officers eventually identified the suspect, surnamed Ni. Despite his brief two-year military tenure and an early discharge due to disciplinary issues, Ni had acquired enough countersurveillance skills to complicate the investigation. His covert behavior made tracking him down particularly challenging, mounting several setbacks for the security officials.

The breakthrough in the case came when officers intercepted a directive from a foreign espionage agency ordering Ni to obtain intelligence from a specific military base. The base itself was situated far from urban areas, amid complex terrain and treacherous winter conditions marked by heavy snowfall that frequently blocked road access. Undeterred by the harsh environment, the authorities orchestrated an ambush around the base.

After several days of monitoring, they observed a figure clearly surveying the area before using equipment to record video. Acting swiftly, officers moved in and apprehended Ni during a prolonged operation that spanned seven days and six nights. While the ministry did not disclose the identities of the foreign agencies involved, the case highlights the extensive measures taken to protect national security and military intelligence.