China pledges ‘all necessary measures’ over CIA’s Mandarin spy recruitment video

Beijing: China on Friday vowed to take “all necessary measures” to counter foreign espionage after the CIA released a Mandarin-language recruitment video aimed at members of the Chinese military.

The video, published on the agency’s YouTube channel, appears to target officers disillusioned by corruption and political purges within the system. It depicts a fictional military officer who comes to believe that “the only thing leaders are protecting is their own interest” and that “their power is based on countless lies”.

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The clip shows him at home with his family before driving through heavy rain, stopping at a checkpoint, and later typing on a laptop in his car. “Picking this path is my way of fighting for my family and my country,” he declares.

Accompanying Chinese text appeals for leaks on Beijing’s leaders, military, and other sectors, asking, “Do you have information about high-ranking Chinese leaders? Are you a military officer or have dealings with the military? Do you work in intelligence, diplomacy, economics, science, or advanced technology fields, or deal with people working in these fields? Please contact us. We want to understand the truth.” The CIA says contact can be made “securely through our Tor hidden service.”

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China’s foreign ministry condemned the video as hostile interference. “China will take all necessary measures to resolutely combat infiltration and sabotage activities of foreign anti-China forces and resolutely safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests,” spokesman Lin Jian told a press briefing on Friday. He did not specify what measures might be taken.

The latest video follows a series of similar appeals released last year. CIA Director John Ratcliffe said at the time they were “just one of many ways that we’re adjusting our tradecraft”. Beijing denounced those earlier posts as “naked political provocation”, accusing Washington of “maliciously smearing and attacking China” while attempting to lure Chinese officials to defect.

AFP