US charges 2 individuals with acting as agents of China

WASHINGTON

The US Justice Department said Tuesday it charged two individuals with acting as agents of China.

Yuance Chen, 38, and Liren “Ryan” Lai, 39, were arrested Friday for allegedly carrying out covert intelligence operations in the US on behalf of China’s Ministry of State Security, it said in a statement.

The suspects allegedly paid for classified US military information, gathered Navy intelligence and tried to recruit service members for China, according to the statement.

“This case underscores the Chinese government’s sustained and aggressive effort to infiltrate our military and undermine our national security from within,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi.

FBI Director Kash Patel said the bureau will continue to "vigilantly defend the homeland from China’s pervasive attempts to infiltrate our borders."