Lawmakers are raising alarms over China’s extensive espionage efforts within the United States, revealing that the Biden administration oversaw a dramatic increase in foreign surveillance and intellectual property theft. A House Homeland Security Committee report detailed more than 60 espionage cases tied to the Chinese Communist Party across 20 states between 2021 and 2024.

https://twitter.com/ameikajr/status/1891806912292728942

The FBI has been [forced] to respond to new Chinese counterintelligence threats approximately every 12 hours, according to committee findings. These cases [range] from corporate espionage and military intelligence breaches to suppression of political dissidents on American soil. The investigation also [uncovered] that Beijing has gained access to sensitive military technology through partnerships with U.S. businesses.

Among the most publicized failures was the 2023 Chinese spy balloon incident, where surveillance equipment [drifted] across the U.S. for days before being neutralized. Intelligence agencies later [discovered] that the balloon contained components sourced from American companies, illustrating how China has [infiltrated] various sectors to expand its technological capabilities.

https://twitter.com/ConneeHolcomb/status/1890602763857334712

Despite the growing threat, President Joe Biden [granted] clemency to two convicted Chinese spies as part of a prisoner swap in late 2024. Yanjun Xu and Ji Chaoqun, both sentenced for stealing U.S. aerospace and satellite secrets, were pardoned in exchange for the release of three Americans held in China. Critics argue that such actions send the wrong message to adversaries actively undermining national security.

https://twitter.com/KanekoaTheGreat/status/1621954376213610496

Beyond traditional espionage, China has also [used] economic influence to expand its foothold in the U.S. Chinese companies have quietly [acquired] farmland near military bases, and hackers linked to Beijing have [infiltrated] major telecommunications networks and government agencies.

In December, authorities [arrested] a Chinese national who was caught flying a drone over Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Another operative [pleaded] guilty to running an illegal overseas police station in New York, which was [used] to monitor and intimidate Chinese dissidents.