Despite Beijing’s persistent denial of systematically using Chinese students in the United States’ top campuses for extensive spying activities and intellectual property theft, an increasing number of espionage cases have been exposed recently, shocking in their breadth and depth.
Journalists Garret Molloy and Elsa Johnson from the Stanford Review revealed the operation of a Chinese spy network at Stanford University in their investigation report released in April.
In a recent podcast interview, the two reporters disclosed more details.
Johnson stated, “China (CCP) has woven a vast academic spy network at Stanford University. Being located in the heart of Silicon Valley, Stanford holds enormous appeal for China (CCP).”
Previously, Johnson and Molloy visited Chinese students on the Stanford campus to understand how the CCP’s spy network operates.
Molloy said, “During the conversations, some Chinese students revealed, ‘I am required to meet with a contact person every week to discuss my ongoing research topics, directions, progress, and how to implement these studies back in China.'”
Some Chinese students mentioned that if the contact person is interested in fields like artificial intelligence or quantum computing, “they would reach out to the students, requesting documents, internal memos, methodologies, and future research directions.”
Within the CCP’s spy network, some individuals volunteer to engage in spy activities for Beijing. Johnson said, “Some students wish to cooperate with China (CCP) government voluntarily; they are willing to do so, they seek a future for their careers.”
She also mentioned that some Chinese students are compelled to cooperate passively due to the CCP’s “transnational repression.” The influence of the CCP’s national security apparatus has already infiltrated the United States.
In 2017, the CCP passed the so-called “National Intelligence Law,” requiring Chinese citizens, whether at home or abroad, to “support, assist and cooperate with national intelligence work” at all times and in all circumstances.
Molloy also shared examples, saying, “At Stanford, those students who refuse to hand over certain documents would have their family members in China brought to the police station. If you violate the ‘National Intelligence Law,’ your family members in China will face threats. Therefore, Chinese students have to comply fully with China (CCP)’s requirements.”
She emphasized that this means, whether voluntarily or for passive reasons, countless Chinese citizens studying and conducting research in the United States must report any required information to the CCP.
According to the International Education Association, the United States has approximately 277,398 Chinese students, ranking second only to India. Nearly half of Chinese students are pursuing advanced degrees, with the majority majoring in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics—key areas for CCP’s espionage activities.