Two sailors of the US Navy were charged on Thursday for providing sensitive military information to China.
Overview
According to media reports, the sailors disclosed information including details on “wartime exercises, naval operations, and critical technical material.”
Both sailors, who are based in California, were charged in a similar manner, but in separate cases. It is not clear whether both were approached or paid by the same Chinese intelligence officer.
Federal officials also declined to confirm if the two sailors were aware of each other’s actions.
On Wednesday, 22-year-old sailor Jinchao Wei was arrested in San Diego while boarding the USS Essex. He has also been accused of sharing detailed intelligence on the weapons systems and aircraft aboard the Essex and other amphibious assault ships, which act as smaller aircraft carriers.
The other arrested sailor, Petty Officer Wenheng Zhao, worked at Naval Base Ventura County in Port Hueneme, California. Zhao’s indictment alleges that between August 2021 and May 2023, the sailor provided sensitive US military information — including “operational plans for a major military exercise in the Indo-Pacific” — to a Chinese intelligence officer working under the guise of a maritime economic researcher.
Both men pleaded not guilty in federal courts in San Diego and Los Angeles, and have been ordered to be held until their detention hearings, which will take place on 8 August.
Chinese Efforts
US officials noted that such cases reflected China’s boldness in trying to gain insight into US military operations.
“Through the alleged crimes committed by these defendants, sensitive military information ended up in the hands of the People’s Republic of China,” US Attorney Randy Grossman for the Southern District of California said.
The charges also demonstrate Beijing’s “determination to obtain information that is critical to our national defence by any means, so it could be used to their advantage,” he added.