China’s machine of spies and theft continues in the US

Recent events at the University of Florida have once again highlighted the ongoing and pervasive threat posed by the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) espionage activities targeting the United States. A multimillion-dollar scheme to illegally ship dangerous drugs and toxins to China, involving a research lab employee and students, has brought renewed attention to the CCP’s relentless efforts to steal sensitive information and materials from American institutions.

This incident is just the latest in a long line of espionage attempts orchestrated by the CCP. The brazen nature of the operation – fraudulently using a university’s ordering system to obtain restricted materials at steep discounts – demonstrates the lengths to which CCP-affiliated actors will go to acquire valuable resources. Even more concerning is the alleged involvement of the president of UF’s Chinese Students and Scholars Association, an organization known to be overseen by the United Front Work Department – the CCP’s primary foreign interference tool.

The CCP’s strategy of exploiting academic connections and student organizations as covers for espionage activities is well-documented. By embedding operatives within these seemingly benign groups, the CCP gains access to cutting-edge research and sensitive information across a wide range of fields. This tactic allows them to bypass normal security protocols and operate under the radar of many institutions.

Beyond academia, the CCP has demonstrated a willingness to target virtually every sector of American society in its quest for technological and economic superiority. The regime’s push towards “military-civil fusion” – merging military and civilian research efforts – poses a particular threat in fields like biotechnology and pharmaceuticals. As noted by the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability, there are growing concerns that the CCP seeks to weaponize genomic and medical data obtained through both legal and illicit means.

The scale and sophistication of CCP espionage efforts are staggering. Operation Cuckoo Bees, uncovered by cyber security firm Cyber reason in 2022, revealed a massive multi-year campaign targeting technology and manufacturing companies across North America, Europe, and Asia. This state-sponsored attack, attributed to the notorious Winnti APT hacking group, resulted in the theft of hundreds of gigabytes of intellectual property and sensitive data.

The CCP’s focus on biotech and pharmaceutical espionage is particularly alarming. By stealing biological samples, biodata, and drug formulas, the regime aims to leapfrog years of costly research and development. This not only gives Chinese companies an unfair economic advantage but also poses significant national security risks. The potential for weaponization of stolen biological information cannot be overstated.

In response to these threats, U.S. lawmakers have introduced bipartisan legislation like the BIOSECURE Act and the Prohibiting Foreign Access to American Genetic Information Act. These bills aim to prevent CCP-affiliated companies from participating in federally funded activities and ban them from receiving U.S. government contracts, grants, or loans. While these are steps in the right direction, more comprehensive action is needed to counter the CCP’s multifaceted espionage efforts.

One company specifically targeted by these bills is BGI Group, a Chinese genomics giant that has been collecting genetic data on Americans for years. The fact that several BGI subsidiaries have already been blacklisted by the U.S. government underscores the severity of the threat posed by such organizations operating under the influence of the CCP.

The CCP’s espionage activities extend far beyond traditional intelligence gathering. Through a combination of cyber attacks, human intelligence, and exploitation of legitimate business and academic relationships, the regime has created a vast network dedicated to stealing American innovation and know-how. This campaign of intellectual property theft costs the U.S. economy hundreds of billions of dollars annually and threatens to erode America’s technological edge in critical fields.

Perhaps most insidious is the CCP’s exploitation of political correctness and fears of discrimination to shield its activities from scrutiny. When confronted with evidence of espionage, the regime and its apologists are quick to cry racism or xenophobia. However, as the Florida law restricting certain foreign researchers demonstrates, these security measures are based on documented threats from specific nations – not on racial or ethnic bias.

The reality is that the CCP, along with a handful of other hostile regimes, poses a unique and persistent threat to American security and prosperity. Recognizing this fact and taking appropriate countermeasures is not discrimination – it is a necessary response to protect vital national interests.

To effectively combat the CCP’s espionage efforts, a whole-of-government approach is essential. The recent inquiries by the Committee on Oversight and Accountability, seeking information from agencies like the FDA, Department of Energy, and FBI on their anti-CCP efforts, are a step in the right direction. However, these agencies must be empowered and resourced to take decisive action against CCP threats.

Furthermore, American companies and institutions must remain vigilant and proactive in identifying and reporting suspicious activities. The University of Florida case demonstrates the crucial role that private sector cooperation plays in uncovering and disrupting CCP espionage operations.

Ultimately, countering the CCP’s relentless campaign of theft and espionage will require sustained effort, increased awareness, and a willingness to confront uncomfortable truths. The regime’s disregard for international norms and its commitment to achieving dominance at any cost make it a uniquely dangerous adversary.

As the United States grapples with this ongoing threat, it is essential that policymakers, business leaders, and ordinary citizens alike recognize the high stakes involved. The CCP’s espionage activities threaten not just America’s economic interests, but its long-term security and global leadership position. Only through coordinated, decisive action can the U.S. hope to protect its innovations, safeguard its critical industries, and maintain its technological edge in the face of this persistent challenge.

Pen & Ink by:  Sergio Restelli (The author is an Italian political advisor, author and geopolitical expert.)
>> Source: The Times of Israel