House GOP wants answers from DOD, FBI on Chinese infiltration of US military bases.
House Republicans Launch Investigation into Chinese Efforts to Infiltrate US Military
The House Oversight Committee, led by Chair James Comer (R-Ky.), has announced a new investigation into the alarming attempts by Chinese operatives to infiltrate the U.S. military.
Comer and Rep. Glenn Grothman (R-Wis.), who chairs the Oversight subcommittee on National Security, the Border, and Foreign Affairs, have sent a letter to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and FBI Director Chris Wray, raising concerns about repeated incidents of Chinese nationals breaching security gates at U.S. military bases. The lawmakers are calling for a briefing on these security breaches by Oct. 16.
Last month, The Wall Street Journal reported that a joint review by the Department of Defense (DOD), FBI, and other U.S. agencies uncovered over a hundred instances of Chinese nationals attempting to force their way onto U.S. military bases and sensitive facilities in recent years. These individuals often disguised themselves as tourists and quickly bypassed security before being apprehended. The review referred to them as “gate crashers.”
In January 2019, two Chinese citizens, Wang Yuhao and Zhang Jielun, were arrested at Naval Air Station (NAS) Key West for trespassing and taking photos. Despite being instructed to leave, they continued onto the base. Both individuals pleaded guilty and were sentenced to prison in June 2020. Another Chinese national, Lyuyou Liao, also pleaded guilty to a similar offense.
“These efforts to access U.S. military bases and facilities raise concerns about what these Chinese nationals are seeking to access and for what purpose,” wrote Comer and Grothman. “The People’s Republic of China (PRC) has long used espionage as a tool to gain access to U.S. national security secrets. But the PRC’s efforts to spy on the United States has become more brazen in recent years.”
While these “gate crashers” may only catch a glimpse of sensitive U.S. facilities before being apprehended, the lawmakers expressed concerns about other methods of Chinese espionage. They highlighted attempts by Chinese nationals and business entities to acquire land near military bases, as well as the incident involving a Chinese high-altitude surveillance balloon that flew over the United States before being shot down.
The lawmakers also mentioned the arrest of two U.S. Navy sailors on charges of spying for China and the discovery of a suspected Chinese secret police station operating in New York City.
“The varied nature of these incidents, from clandestine intelligence facilities to espionage balloons, suggests a multifaceted approach to intelligence gathering by the PRC,” wrote Comer and Grothman. “It is imperative that our government is fully apprised of the breadth and depth of these activities, which pose significant threats to our national security and our military personnel.”
The lawmakers have requested the DOD and FBI to provide specific details about Chinese surveillance efforts, the security implications, and the countermeasures taken.
From NTD News
What prompted the House Oversight Committee to launch a formal investigation into Chinese efforts to infiltrate the United States military?
E at NAS Key West in January 2021 and was sentenced to time served and ordered to leave the country.
These incidents highlight the ongoing threat posed by Chinese operatives attempting to gain access to sensitive U.S. military installations. The fact that these individuals were able to breach security measures and enter military bases raises serious concerns about the effectiveness of our defense protocols and the potential compromise of classified information and technology.
The House Oversight Committee’s investigation aims to understand the extent of these security breaches and assess the response and action taken by the Department of Defense and the FBI. The committee believes it is crucial to ensure the safety and security of our military facilities and personnel, as well as protect our national security interests.
In their letter to Defense Secretary Austin and FBI Director Wray, Chair Comer and Rep. Grothman express their concern over the repeated incidents of Chinese nationals trespassing on U.S. military bases and request a detailed briefing on these security breaches by October 16. The lawmakers emphasize the need for a thorough investigation into these incidents and urge the Department of Defense and the FBI to take appropriate action to strengthen security measures and prevent future infiltrations.
It is essential that we remain vigilant in the face of foreign attempts to infiltrate and gather sensitive information from our military. The defense of our nation depends on the safeguarding of our military assets and personnel. The House Oversight Committee’s investigation is a crucial step in addressing this threat and ensuring the continued protection of our national security interests.
The House Oversight Committee, led by Chair James Comer (R-Ky.), has launched a formal investigation into the escalating efforts by Chinese operatives to infiltrate the United States military. Chair Comer and Rep. Glenn Grothman (R-Wis.), who chairs the Oversight subcommittee on National Security, the Border, and Foreign Affairs, have sent a letter to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and FBI Director Chris Wray, expressing their concerns about repeated incidents of Chinese nationals breaching security gates at US military bases. They are calling for a briefing on these security breaches to be held by October 16.
A recent report by the Department of Defense (DOD), FBI, and other US agencies revealed over a hundred instances of Chinese nationals attempting to forcefully gain access to US military bases and sensitive facilities in the past few years. These individuals frequently disguised themselves as tourists and managed to bypass security measures before being apprehended. They were referred to as “gate crashers” in the review conducted by the agencies.
In a notable incident, two Chinese citizens, Wang Yuhao and Zhang Jielun, were arrested in January 2019 at Naval Air Station (NAS) Key West for trespassing and taking photographs. Despite being instructed to leave, they persisted in entering the base. Both individuals pleaded guilty and were sentenced to prison in
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