In a move reflecting the escalating intelligence competition between the superpowers, the CIA expanded its operations aimed at penetrating deep into China by releasing a new video in Mandarin on Thursday. This digital campaign is directly aimed at recruiting Chinese military officers and government officials who are disaffected with the regime, a bold move likely to further strain already tense diplomatic relations between Washington and Beijing.
Emotional messages to infiltrate the military establishment
The video, which was broadcast across multiple platforms including the agency's YouTube channel, focuses on the psychological and emotional state of its targets. The dramatized scene depicts a Chinese officer (a fictional character) experiencing internal conflict. The footage shows the officer at home with his family, then cuts to him passing through a military checkpoint in the rain, before he makes the crucial decision inside his car to open his laptop and contact the American side.
The video carries the message that cooperating with US intelligence is not treason, but rather "a way to fight for family and country," exploiting the idea that "the only thing leaders protect is their own interests" and that their power is based on lies, thus encouraging officials to leak sensitive information about leadership and military movements.
Intelligence context: Replicating the Russian experience
This move is not unprecedented in the agency's modern tactics; US intelligence resorted to a similar strategy with Russia following the outbreak of war in Ukraine. Washington successfully exploited the frustration of some Russian officials to recruit them as agents, and it appears the CIA is seeking to replicate this model in China. This comes at a time when the United States places China at the top of its list of long-term security threats, considering the acquisition of human intelligence (HUMINT) from within Beijing's inner circles of decision-making vital to US national security.
Beijing's reaction and the repercussions of the situation
This public call for espionage follows a series of similar recordings released last year, which CIA Director John Ratcliffe described as aimed at recruiting Chinese officials, calling them "one of many ways" to adapt intelligence methods. These moves, however, were met with strong condemnation from the Chinese Foreign Ministry, which called the releases a "blatant political provocation.".
Beijing believes that Washington is not only attempting to tarnish China's international reputation, but is also trying to sow internal discord and deceive Chinese citizens into becoming entangled in their schemes. This video is expected to lead China to tighten its internal security measures and counter-espionage campaigns, potentially further restricting the flow of information. However, it also reflects a US conviction that there are internal vulnerabilities within the Chinese system that can be exploited.
