Espionage Case of Chinese Student Exposed by China’s National Security Authorities

As China's National Security Education Day approaches, the Ministry of State Security (MSS) has initiated a video series spotlighting notable cases of national security breaches, starting with a story of a student known as Hao, who returned to China with ulterior motives. This particular case highlights Hao's recruitment by a foreign intelligence agency during his studies overseas, where he managed to secure a position in a central government department for an extended period before being apprehended.

The narrative unfolds as Hao initially sought help for a visa application at a foreign embassy while preparing to attend an international academic event. It was here that he encountered a person posing as an embassy official, who ultimately turned out to be an intelligence officer from a foreign agency. Enticed by the officer's charm and apparent willingness to assist, Hao unknowingly began to fall into a trap designed by the agency.

From this encounter, Hao’s relationship with the foreign agent grew as T—claiming to help with his visa—took him out for meals, gifted him items, and expressed concern for his financial situation while studying. The agent’s calculated efforts culminated in an invitation for Hao to a "job interview," where he was rewarded for his academic work, further solidifying their connection.

As graduation approached, T introduced Hao to another supposed colleague, who later revealed his role as a spy and successfully recruited him into espionage. The MSS highlighted that such manipulation, wherein intelligence officers disguise themselves as visa officials, is a common strategy used against unsuspecting Chinese students abroad, aiming to identify and exploit potential targets.

Upon returning to China, under the direction of the foreign agency, Hao targeted a sensitive research position within a vital government institution. In this role, he clandestinely met with foreign agents and exchanged classified information for financial gain, demonstrating the grave risks posed by foreign intelligence agencies working to unravel China's national security.

The investigation revealed that the espionage involved sharing sensitive details from the central ministry, including internal personnel data and items classified under State secrets. Ultimately, Hao's actions led to his conviction for espionage, resulting in a life sentence and a permanent loss of political rights, serving as a warning about the tactics employed by foreign agencies against Chinese nationals.