United States: The United States has arrested two navy members for allegedly sharing military secrets with China, claiming a threat to national security.
During a press conference, Assistant Attorney General for National Security Mr. Matt Olsen noted that his division would be “relentless” in pursuing accountability.
“Through the alleged crimes committed by these defendants, sensitive military information ended up in the hands of the People’s Republic of China,” Mr. Olsen added.
According to Mr. Olsen, China “stands apart” in the threat it poses to US security, and the country is “unrivalled in the audacity and range of its malign efforts to subvert US laws.”
The accused Navy members were identified as Mr. Jinchao Wei, also known by the first name ‘Patrick,’ and 26-year-old Mr. Wenheng Zhao, who goes by ‘Thomas.’
“The two sailors were involved in separate information-gathering operations while in the employment of the US Navy,” the Department of Justice stated.
The US prosecutors announced the charges during a news conference in San Diego. The prosecutors stated that Mr. Wei, who served as a machinist’s mate on the amphibious assault ship USS Essex, held a security clearance and had access to sensitive information about the ship.
According to reports, Mr. Wei was allegedly approached by a Chinese agent in February 2022 while he was going through the process of becoming a US citizen. The agent paid Mr. Wei thousands of dollars for photographs, videos, technical manuals, and blueprints of the ship.
Justice Department officials also remarked that Mr. Wei provided the agent details of US Marines who were on a maritime training exercise.
“The Department of Justice will continue to use every tool in our arsenal to counter threats from China and to deter those who aid them in breaking our laws and threatening our national security,” Mr. Olsen further added.
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