China Arrests Suspected CIA Spy

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Facts

  • On Friday, China’s Ministry of State Security announced the arrest of a 52-year-old Chinese national named Zeng, who is accused of spying for the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) by allegedly providing sensitive military information in exchange for money and immigration to the US.1
  • The Ministry of State Security claims Zeng — who reportedly worked for an unknown military industrial group — went to study in Italy and was befriended by a CIA agent stationed at the US embassy in Rome.2
  • Zeng, according to the ministry, became 'psychologically dependent' on the CIA agent, who cultivated a friendship through dinners, outings, visits to the opera, and other activities.3
  • The ministry further added that the CIA agent — allegedly named 'Seth' — manipulated Zeng's political views and extracted sensitive Chinese military information during the relationship.4
  • The US embassy in Beijing didn't respond to media requests for comment.5
  • The case has been sent to prosecutors for evaluation and indictment.6

Sources: 1Al Jazeera, 2Eurasia diary, 3The straits times, 4Trtworld, 5Reuters and 6CNN.

Narratives

  • Pro-China narrative, as provided by Global times. This case is the latest example of how the US engages in more global surveillance and reconnaissance than any other country in the face of what it considers to be a long list of threats. But it’s the US’ spying that causes many crises across the globe. It’s vital for China and other countries to crack down on US espionage.
  • Anti-China narrative, as provided by CNN. Even if these vague allegations hold any weight, China itself isn't innocent when it comes to engaging in espionage, repeatedly targeting the US and anyone else it considers a threat to its hegemonic goals. Just earlier this month, the US arrested two sailors suspected of spying for China. If Beijing wants to see an end to all the spying, it must first recognize its hypocrisies.

Predictions