US officials have been noted to show concern regarding the leak of confidential military data to Chinese officials by two US Navy sailors. This has increased the threat regarding the Chinese having access to American intelligence.
The two sailors from the US Navy have been noted for their capacity to be based in California and have been charged with familiar moves for the providence of sensitive intelligence to the Chinese officials. On the other, there have been separate cases, and it has not been clear if the two sailors have been courted or paid by the same Chinese intelligence officer, who is part of a larger scheme.
The federal authorities of the US have not specified if the charged sailors have been aware of each other’s actions. Both of them have pleaded in court in San Diego and Los Angeles.
Both the charged sailors have been ordered to be held till the detention hearings are not heard. This detention hearing shall be taken on 8th August in Los Angeles and San Diego.
Officials of the US have expressed their worry for many years regarding the espionage threat the Chinese government tends to pose. This brings about criminal cases in recent years against Beijing intelligence operatives, who have been noted to steal sensitive commercial and government information.Â
In April, the Justice Department arrested a Massachusetts Air National Guardsman on the charge of leaking classified military data about Russia’s war in Ukraine, along with other sensitive national security data.
US authorities had said the cases tend to demonstrate China’s audacity in trying to acquire insight into US military operations.
Jinchao Wei, the 22-year-old sailor assigned to the San Diego-based USS Essex, was arrested on Wednesday while boarding the ship. He has been accused of providing detailed information on the weapons systems and aircraft present in Essex.
The prosecutors have stated that Wei was born in China and was approached by a Chinese intelligence officer in 2022 while applying to become a naturalized US citizen. Further stating that the arrangement might impact his application process.
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