FBI arrests two Chinese spies who infiltrated U.S. Navy and recruited assets while living illegally in America on expired tourist visas, operating as covert agents for China’s Ministry of State Security.
Key Takeaways
- Yuance Chen and Liren Lai were charged with spying on the U.S. Navy for China’s intelligence service while residing illegally in the U.S. on expired tourist visas
- The suspects allegedly recruited military personnel and facilitated “dead drop” cash payments as part of their espionage operations
- If convicted, the Chinese nationals face penalties of up to $250,000 in fines and 10 years in prison
- The case highlights China’s persistent espionage campaign against American military and security infrastructure
- FBI Director Kash Patel emphasized these arrests demonstrate America’s “unwavering commitment” to protecting national security
Chinese Nationals Charged in Major Navy Espionage Operation
The FBI has arrested two Chinese nationals, Yuance Chen and Liren Lai, on charges of conducting espionage operations against the U.S. Navy on behalf of China’s Ministry of State Security (MSS). Both individuals entered the United States on tourist visas that have since expired, effectively making them illegal residents while carrying out their alleged intelligence activities. The pair stands accused of gathering intelligence on U.S. Navy service members and actively recruiting assets to work for the Chinese Communist Party, marking a significant breach of national security that has further strained already tense U.S.-China relations.
“The arrests were made with assistance from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS), highlighting the coordinated counterintelligence effort between federal agencies,” according to court documents, Chen and Lai facilitated “dead drop” cash payments for the MSS, a clandestine method used by intelligence agencies to exchange money, information, or other items without direct contact between operatives. This methodology underscores the sophisticated nature of the alleged espionage operation and the extensive planning involved in targeting America’s naval defense infrastructure.
Long-Term Chinese Intelligence Recruitment Exposed
The Department of Justice’s National Security Division has emphasized that this case represents just one example of China’s persistent and methodical approach to intelligence gathering on American soil. China’s intelligence apparatus invests years in recruiting and developing assets within the United States, creating networks of operatives who can access sensitive information. The MSS specifically targeted Navy personnel who could provide valuable military intelligence, demonstrating Beijing’s strategic focus on understanding and potentially undermining U.S. military capabilities in potential future conflicts.
“Adverse foreign intelligence services like the PRC’s Ministry of State Security dedicate years to recruiting individuals and cultivating them as intelligence assets to do their bidding within the United States,” said John A. Eisenberg, Assistant Attorney General for National Security .
This case adds to a growing list of Chinese espionage activities detected on American soil. Last year, authorities apprehended a Chinese national who entered a Marine base in California without authorization. More recently, two other Chinese nationals were charged with conspiracy, smuggling, false statements, and visa fraud related to a potential agroterrorism weapon. These incidents collectively reveal the multifaceted approach China takes to gathering intelligence and potentially undermining U.S. security, spanning military, technological, and agricultural sectors.
FBI Director Vows Relentless Counterintelligence Efforts
FBI Director Kash Patel issued a forceful statement following the arrests, emphasizing the bureau’s commitment to disrupting foreign intelligence operations on American soil. The charges against Chen and Lai carry substantial penalties, including up to $250,000 in fines and 10 years in prison for operating as agents of a foreign government without proper notification to the U.S. attorney general. These potential consequences reflect the seriousness with which the United States treats espionage activities, particularly those targeting military institutions.
“Today’s arrests reflect the FBI’s unwavering commitment to protecting our national security and safeguarding the integrity of our military. The individuals charged were acting on behalf of a hostile foreign intelligence service — part of the Chinese Communist Party’s broader effort to infiltrate and undermine our institutions. Thanks to outstanding coordination with our partners, including NCIS, we disrupted those efforts and sent a clear message: the United States will not tolerate espionage on American soil. Our counterintelligence operations remain focused, vigilant, and relentless,” said Kash Patel, FBI Director.
The case has drawn attention from lawmakers who have long voiced concerns about security risks posed by Chinese nationals entering the United States. Senator Joni Ernst and others have repeatedly highlighted vulnerabilities at U.S. borders that could be exploited by foreign intelligence services. The fact that both Chen and Lai were operating on expired visas underscores the national security implications of inadequate immigration enforcement and visa tracking systems, providing another dimension to the ongoing debate about border security under the Trump administration.
