On Tuesday, the National Counterintelligence and Security Center issued a warning regarding China's intelligence services. The advisory highlighted the deceptive tactics employed to recruit current and former U.S. government employees.

The advisory, a joint effort with the F.B.I. and the Pentagon's counterintelligence service, detailed how foreign intelligence agencies were disguising themselves as consulting firms, corporate think tanks, and other organizations. Their goal was to lure former U.S. officials into providing information.

The U.S. government has previously stated that China utilizes social networks for covert recruitment. However, former U.S. officials suggest that China perceives an increased opportunity due to recent changes within the Trump administration, including agency shutdowns, employee dismissals, and the removal of individuals involved in diversity programs.

The warning also reminded former officials with security clearances of their ongoing legal responsibility to safeguard classified information, even after leaving government service. It emphasized that China, along with other foreign nations, is actively targeting a wide range of former officials.