New Intelligence Escalation: China Threatens Firm Actions After Controversial American Video

China has threatened to take countermeasures against what it described as attempts at foreign espionage, following the release of a video by the American Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) aimed at recruiting Chinese officers, opening a new front of tension between Beijing and Washington.

Recruitment Video Ignites Dispute Between the Powers

The American agency published a dramatized video in Chinese on YouTube showing a Chinese officer deciding to communicate with American intelligence, in dramatic scenes depicting his struggles with political leadership, before deciding to cooperate with Washington out of a desire to protect his family and country.

The video features footage of the officer at home with his family, then passing through a checkpoint in rainy weather, before using his laptop in a car to communicate with American intelligence.

Angry Chinese Response and Warnings of 'Hostile Forces'

In its first official response, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian stated that his country would take "all necessary measures" to confront what he described as infiltration attempts and destabilization led by external entities, emphasizing that these attempts would not achieve their goals.

Explicit Calls for Leaking Sensitive Information

The text accompanying the video includes direct calls for Chinese officers and officials to provide information about military leaders and senior officials, with questions related to intelligence, diplomacy, technology, and economics.

It also encourages the targeted individuals to communicate with the agency via the encrypted "Tor" service to ensure anonymity.

Renewed Espionage War Between Beijing and Washington

This development comes amid ongoing mutual accusations between Beijing and Washington regarding espionage activities, amidst escalating political and technological competition between the two global powers.

John Ratcliffe had previously indicated that the agency published several recordings last year targeting the recruitment of Chinese officials, as part of what he described as an expansion of American intelligence efforts.