China’s US Espionage Operations Increased As Biden Pardoned Convicted Spies

A congressional report has outlined the extent of China’s intelligence operations inside the US during the Biden administration, documenting over 60 espionage cases tied to Beijing between 2021 and 2024. The House Homeland Security Committee’s findings highlight how China has targeted businesses, military technology, and key infrastructure.

According to the FBI, the US is responding to a new counterintelligence threat from China every 12 hours. Chinese hackers have compromised major telecommunications firms, and foreign-backed companies have quietly acquired land near US military facilities, raising concerns about Beijing’s strategic expansion.

The report was released just months after Biden pardoned two convicted Chinese spies. Yanjun Xu, a high-ranking officer in China’s intelligence service, had been sentenced to 20 years for attempting to steal US aerospace and satellite secrets. Ji Chaoqun, another Chinese operative, was convicted for attempting to infiltrate US defense firms by recruiting individuals with access to restricted technology.

One of the most visible signs of China’s surveillance activity was the Chinese spy balloon that crossed the US in 2023, reportedly carrying US-made components. The balloon was shot down, but its path over critical military installations raised questions about the administration’s response to Beijing’s provocations.

China’s growing influence has also been felt in cyber intrusions and transnational repression. In December, a Chinese national was arrested for operating an unauthorized drone over Vandenberg Space Force Base. Another individual pleaded guilty to running an illegal Chinese police station in New York that targeted dissidents.

Lawmakers warn that China’s espionage operations extend beyond government targets, infiltrating research institutions, corporations, and critical infrastructure to further Beijing’s global ambitions.

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR