China Discovers Espionage Plot by Ministry Employee Offering State Secrets

In a significant espionage case, China has apprehended a state ministry employee, known only by her surname Zhang, who allegedly reached out to foreign intelligence agencies with the intention of leaking sensitive information. According to the Ministry of State Security (MSS), Zhang had already made off with almost 300,000 internal documents, which highlighted major vulnerabilities within critical state sectors.

Zhang, described as a "phantom" in meetings, had been a skilled infiltrator, using recording devices to capture confidential discussions until the device fell during a crucial meeting, raising alarms among the attendees. Upon discovering the recording device, the participants reported the incident to the higher authorities, prompting the institution to notify state security personnel.

Inquiries swiftly pointed to Zhang as the main suspect, leading officials to connect her with another ongoing espionage case involving individuals offering classified materials to foreign services. Notably, Zhang had previously been identified as someone trying to contact foreign intelligence resources a month earlier, creating a web of intrigue that warranted a comprehensive investigation.

Zhang is characterized as coming from an educated background, having graduated from a well-known university and holding positions in various governmental agencies. Despite her access to classified information, she reportedly sought revenge against her institution and colleagues due to personal grievances, resulting in her unlawful actions driven by subversive ideologies she embraced since her teenage years.

Her tactics included exploiting weaknesses within her institution, such as illegally downloading internal documents and smuggling recording devices into secure locations to gather secrets. By the time authorities caught up with her, Zhang was preparing to escape the country with a stash of sensitive information.

The MSS has highlighted serious lapses in counter-espionage measures at Zhang’s institution, identifying inadequate protocols and insufficient staff training as significant issues. In light of her actions, a disciplinary investigation has been initiated that resulted in penalties for at least 12 officials connected to the mishaps, showcasing the broader implications of this case on national security.