China’s Ministry of State Security has issued a warning to young people, particularly university students, about the dangers of foreign intelligence agents using false romantic relationships to manipulate them into spying against China. The agency’s WeChat account has been publishing posts since August, urging the public to be alert to foreign threats amid tense relations with the United States. Recent cases, like that of Linda Sun, a former top aide to a New York governor, who allegedly acted as a secret agent for China, highlight the importance of vigilance.
The Ministry of State Security warns that foreign agents target Chinese students with promises of high pay for little work or through online friendships, gradually manipulating them into sharing classified information. They may use tactics like providing gifts, meals, and emotional support to build trust, ultimately coercing students into engaging in illegal activities like photographing sensitive military areas.
The agency’s WeChat account includes daily posts featuring comics and animated series, along with details of individual cases where Chinese individuals have been involved in espionage activities. In response, the Chinese government has jailed and deprived individuals of their political rights for illegal activities. In one case, British intelligence recruited a husband and wife who worked for the Chinese government, but the British government declined to comment on the matter.
Overall, the Ministry of State Security’s warning serves as a reminder to young people in China to be cautious of strangers offering gifts or affection, as they could be foreign agents attempting to exploit their curiosity and manipulate them into committing espionage.
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