China’s Ministry of State Security has issued a stark warning to students, advising them to be wary of potential recruitment tactics by foreign spies. The agency, in a statement posted on WeChat, outlined detailed concerns about the manipulation and exploitation of young individuals for espionage purposes.
The ministry claims that foreign intelligence organizations are actively targeting Chinese students, utilizing various methods to gain access to sensitive information. These tactics involve enticing students with seemingly legitimate opportunities, such as high-paying part-time jobs disguised as market research or academic exchanges.
However, the agency asserts that these offers often serve as a cover for foreign spies seeking to exploit students’ curiosity and willingness to try new things. The ministry further alleges that foreign agencies utilize social media, phone calls, and video conferencing to groom potential recruits, offering free training and guidance.
The warning also highlights the use of deception, particularly the deployment of individuals posing as attractive and charming individuals to manipulate students’ emotions. These ‘handsome men’ and ‘beautiful women,’ the agency warns, use fabricated feelings to ensnare students into a trap of love and compromise their security.
This latest advisory follows a previous warning in June, where the Chinese agency accused Britain’s MI6 of recruiting a couple working for the Chinese government to spy for the UK. China and Western powers have long exchanged accusations of espionage, but the recent disclosures of alleged individual cases mark a shift towards more transparency in these accusations.
