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World News
FBI arrests two Chinese men accused of spying and trying to recruit US Navy members as spies for China.
Two Chinese Nationals Arrested in US for Spying on US Navy
Two Chinese nationals were arrested in the US for spying and trying to recruit Navy members as Chinese intelligence assets.
2025-07-02
2035-01-01T00:00:00.000Z
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2001-02-01T00:00:00.000Z
Two Chinese nationals have been arrested in the United States for allegedly spying and trying to recruit members of the US Navy to work as intelligence assets for China.
The US Justice Department announced the arrests on Tuesday, saying the two men face up to 10 years in prison if convicted.
Who Are the Suspects?
The accused are:
Yuance Chen (38) – a resident of Happy Valley, Oregon, who came to the US in 2015 and became a permanent resident.
Liren “Ryan” Lai (39) – a Chinese national who arrived in Houston, Texas, earlier this year on a tourist visa.
Both were arrested by the FBI on Friday, charged with acting as agents of the Chinese government without registering as foreign agents, which is required under US law.
What Did They Do?
According to court documents:
Lai recruited Chen in 2021 to work for China’s Ministry of State Security (MSS).
They paid cash to gather national security information.
They tried to recruit US Navy members as intelligence assets.
Their operations included:
Photographing a US Navy base in Washington state.
Photographing a Navy recruiting station in California.
Organising a secret cash drop of at least $10,000 to an MSS contact.
Sending personal details of Navy recruits, especially those of Chinese descent, to Chinese intelligence contacts.
In one conversation, Chen reportedly told Lai about a Navy recruit, noting family details to identify potential weaknesses for recruitment.
What US Officials Are Saying
Attorney General Pamela Bondi said:
“This case underscores the Chinese government’s sustained and aggressive effort to infiltrate our military and undermine our national security from within.”
Assistant Attorney General John Eisenberg added:
“Adverse foreign intelligence services like the PRC's Ministry of State Security dedicate years to recruiting individuals and cultivating them as intelligence assets within the United States.”
China’s Response
A spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington, Liu Pengyu, said he had no knowledge of the case and claimed:
“The US has never stopped its espionage activities against China,” dismissing the accusations as lacking evidence.
Background: China’s Espionage in the US
This arrest is part of a broader pattern of Chinese intelligence targeting the US military. In August 2023, two Navy sailors were charged with supplying China with sensitive military information, including details of wartime exercises and naval deployments.
What Happens Next?
If convicted, Chen and Lai face up to 10 years in prison. The US continues to monitor and counter foreign espionage efforts, especially those targeting its military and national security.
