Chairman Mike Gallagher and Rep. Ashley Hinson, along with the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), have expressed alarm over recent reports of a surge in Chinese espionage activities targeting sensitive U.S. military and economic secrets on American soil. In response, they have requested a briefing from Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and FBI Director Christopher Wray to address this growing security threat.
Recent reports from the Wall Street Journal have revealed that individuals from the People's Republic of China (PRC) have attempted more than one hundred acts of espionage at military bases and other sensitive locations throughout the United States. These individuals, sometimes posing as tourists, have gained unauthorized access to U.S. military bases and installations, raising concerns about the security measures in place.
These incidents, which U.S. authorities deem as espionage, serve the purpose of assessing security measures at U.S. military and federal installations. The involved individuals are typically Chinese citizens who report back to the Chinese government. The breaches have ranged from unauthorized entry into missile ranges to suspicious scuba divers near government rocket-launch facilities. The Chinese government has dismissed these allegations as "ill-intentioned fabrications."
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Photo of Rep. Ashley Hinson (R-IA)
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The letter penned by Gallagher and Hinson highlights specific incidents, including potential agents infiltrating a U.S. Army test range and using drone technology to surveil the grounds, as well as individuals scuba diving near a launch site for U.S. spy satellites. These incidents are not limited to military sites, as there are ongoing efforts to collect intelligence on the White House and its security measures.
In light of these concerning developments, Chairman Gallagher and the members of the Select Committee on the CCP have requested a briefing from the Department of Defense and the FBI. They have also requested all relevant information on how the Pentagon is addressing this threat. The letter calls for a hearing to be held no later than October 6th to address the surge in Chinese espionage activities and to ensure the security of sensitive U.S. military and economic assets.
