CIA Solicits Chinese Military Officers for Intelligence Collaboration

The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has launched a new initiative aimed at Chinese military personnel, encouraging them to cooperate by passing on vital information amid significant purges in Beijing’s armed forces. The agency shared a video on its official social media account, captioning it, "The reason for stepping forward: To save the future." The video features a dramatized account of a high-ranking Chinese military official attending a clandestine meeting, followed by a sequence showing him transmitting sensitive information to the CIA from a secure location.

In the video description, published in Mandarin, the CIA specifies its desire to engage credible individuals who possess insights into Chinese leadership, military operations, diplomacy, economics, science, and technological advancements. The post provides a link to the CIA’s official YouTube channel, where additional guidance and secure contact methods are detailed.

In response to the CIA's outreach, the Ministry of National Defence of the People’s Republic of China has initiated its counter-campaign, featuring videos that caution citizens against espionage activities and advise vigilance against foreign spy attempts. This latest move from the CIA is part of a broader digital strategy, having released five consecutive videos in the past year targeting those within China’s political and military sectors.

The CIA attempts to reassure potential contacts about their safety, referring to their well-being as a "professional obligation." It has instructed individuals on using the Tor network, a hidden part of the internet, to communicate securely with the agency. The CIA has emphasised patience in response times, reinforcing that each submission will undergo thorough assessment for both effectiveness and safety.

Earlier this year, the CIA provided a visual guide on how to establish secure communication, outlining necessary security measures. Narratives in previous videos set in China's political environment have depicted officials wrestling with instability and the fear of purges under the Communist Party.

This outreach comes at a time of significant turbulence within the leadership of China’s military forces, notably following the removal of Vice-Chairman of the Central Military Commission, Zhang Youxia. Efforts by the CIA seem to capitalise on existing discontent within the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). U.S. intelligence officials have indicated that gaining insight into China’s internal decision-making is a top priority, particularly against the backdrop of increasing geopolitical tensions relating to trade, technology, Taiwan, and regional security.

During a recent Senate confirmation hearing, CIA Director John Ratcliffe underscored that China represents the agency's primary focus, highlighting the necessity for a "decisive intelligence advantage" that was lacking in previous years. The CIA justifies this initiative as critical for uncovering the "truth about China" and evaluating threats posed by Beijing’s ambitions and military strategies.