China's Intelligence Services and Espionage Operations

Chinese espionage against the United States is not just a recent phenomenon. Chinese intelligence actors have infiltrated U.S. national security entities since the earliest days of the People's Republic of China (PRC). However, reports of Chinese espionage against the United States have risen significantly over the past 15 years. At the same time, the national security concerns and implications of these breaches have grown and made U.S.-China security tensions, Beijing's expanding military might, and questions about the PRC's strategic intentions. In addition to the many cases of Chinese espionage conducted in the United States, the threat from Chinese intelligence collection also extends outside of the United States. The United States shares military equipment and national security secrets with many countries that China has targeted with espionage operations. China's infiltration of defense entities in these countries could allow China to extract sensitive U.S. national defense information. China has also invested significant resources in building up its capabilities to collect military technical intelligence. These capabilities would strengthen China's hand in a military confrontation with the United States, its allies, or partners.