The US intel body, Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), has released a new Chinese-language video aimed at recruiting potential informants within China’s military establishment, drawing a sharp response from Beijing, which vowed to take “all necessary measures” against foreign espionage activities.
The video, published on the CIA’s YouTube channel on Thursday, depicts a fictional mid-level officer in the people's liberation army (PLA) reflecting on alleged corruption among senior leaders and deciding to contact the US agency.
The release comes amid a broader anti-corruption drive within China’s armed forces led by President Xi Jinping.
In the video, the officer narrates in Mandarin: “Each day that goes by, it becomes clearer the only thing our party leaders are interested in defending is their own pockets.”
He adds, “I could not let their madness be a part of my daughter's future.” The clip ends with the CIA logo and the character suggesting that sharing information is his way of serving his country.
According to NYT, the video highlights allegations of corruption within the PLA that have led to the ouster of several generals and senior leaders on China’s central military commission, the communist party body overseeing the armed forces.
Last month, Xi removed China’s top military officer and another senior general, with Chinese authorities citing unspecified “grave violations of discipline and the law.”
US officials quoted by the NYT said there has been debate over Xi’s motives – whether he is acting out of political caution, addressing potential challenges, or attempting to tackle entrenched corruption. American officials believe corruption has hampered China’s military modernisation and may have created openings to recruit disaffected insiders.
CIA Director John Ratcliffe said earlier efforts were yielding results. “Last year, CIA's Mandarin video campaign reached many Chinese citizens, and we know there are many more searching for a way to improve their lives and change their country for the better,” he said in a statement, adding that the agency would continue offering “Chinese government officials and citizens an opportunity to work toward a brighter future together.”
The agency has also published instructions on how Chinese nationals can contact it securely, including through the Tor network and virtual private networks, despite China’s restrictions on Western platforms.
China’s foreign ministry condemned the move on Friday. “China will take all necessary measures to resolutely combat infiltration and sabotage activities of foreign anti-China forces and resolutely safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests,” foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian said at a press conference, according to AP. He did not elaborate on what measures Beijing might take.
The latest exchange has brought focus back to the escalating intelligence competition between Washington and Beijing.
The CIA has been rebuilding its China network after setbacks between 2010 and 2012, when more than a dozen US sources were reportedly killed or imprisoned after its covert communication system was compromised, the NYT reported.
Beijing had earlier described similar US outreach efforts as “naked political provocation”, accusing Washington of attempting to “maliciously smear and attack China” while luring Chinese personnel to defect.
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