Beijing’s espionage activities on U.S. soil expanded significantly under the Biden administration, according to a new House Homeland Security Committee report. More than 60 cases of Chinese intelligence operations were recorded in 20 states, ranging from cyberattacks to intellectual property theft.
Congress unmasks perils of 'Beijing Biden' era: China's expanding mass espionage efforts
The problem has become so pervasive that the FBI now opens a Chinese counterintelligence operations roughly every 12 hours, House panel says.https://t.co/1Vy6wI00x9— Grannapple (@ameikajr) February 18, 2025
The FBI has been responding to new Chinese counterintelligence threats at an unprecedented rate, launching a new case roughly every 12 hours. Among the most publicized failures was the 2023 Chinese spy balloon, which carried American-made technology and collected intelligence as it traveled across the country before being shot down.
Despite these security threats, Biden pardoned two convicted Chinese spies in late 2024 as part of a prisoner swap. Yanjun Xu, a Chinese intelligence officer, had been sentenced for attempting to steal U.S. aerospace technology. Ji Chaoqun, another operative, was convicted of working with China’s Ministry of State Security to recruit spies in the U.S.
China’s efforts to expand its influence have gone beyond traditional espionage. Hackers affiliated with the Communist Party successfully penetrated nine major U.S. telecommunications companies last year, while CCP-linked firms have purchased land near military installations.
EXCLUSIVE: Chinese Espionage Threat Increased Under Biden, Congressional Report Finds https://t.co/aRyYXQDTe9
— Connee Holcomb (@ConneeHolcomb) February 15, 2025
The Bank of China gave the Bidens 10% of a billion-dollar investment fund, and Hunter has repeatedly acknowledged that he worked for the "spy chief of China."
Do you think Joe Biden is worried about a Chinese spy balloon flying over our nuclear arsenal?https://t.co/E4cWThHtHm pic.twitter.com/4eCMeKtXg5
— KanekoaTheGreat (@KanekoaTheGreat) February 4, 2023
In addition, the Justice Department has charged multiple individuals connected to China’s intelligence network. In one case, a Chinese national was arrested for operating an illegal overseas police station in New York City, where dissidents were targeted and harassed.
Lawmakers warn that China’s infiltration of U.S. institutions is continuing to grow, raising urgent concerns about safeguarding national security and protecting critical industries.
