Just weeks after China’s top general was purged, the CIA is launching a public video to attract informants from the Chinese military. This video features a disillusioned mid-level Chinese officer and is part of the CIA’s effort to enhance human intelligence against China. In May, a similar campaign provided instructions for securely contacting U. S. intelligence targeting fictional members of China’s Communist Party.
CIA Director John Ratcliffe stated that these videos have reached many Chinese individuals and that the CIA aims to give Chinese government officials a chance to create a better future. Following the announcement of an investigation into Zhang Youxia, a top military leader, the CIA seeks to take advantage of the political unrest stemming from a crackdown on military corruption within the People’s Liberation Army.
The video suggests a culture of suspicion among military leaders, as voiced by the fictional officer. The CIA believes its online efforts are breaking through China’s internet restrictions, with past videos reaching millions and generating potential new sources. The U. S. has been focusing on rebuilding its intelligence network in China after losing many agents in previous years, amidst ongoing espionage activities from both nations amidst rising tensions likened to a new cold war.
With information from Reuters
