Tensions between Washington and Beijing escalated further this week after the Chinese Foreign Ministry accused the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) of launching a “political provocation” aimed at undermining China’s internal stability. The move follows the CIA’s public release of recruitment videos, broadcast in Mandarin, seeking to lure Chinese officials and experts into covert cooperation.

During a press briefing on May 6, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian sharply criticized the CIA’s efforts, accusing the US of persistently violating international norms by employing “despicable methods to steal other countries’ secrets, interfere in their internal affairs and commit subversion.” Lin emphasized that these actions are not isolated but form part of a larger pattern of US behavior, which he argued blatantly disregards international law and basic standards of diplomacy.

“The United States not only maliciously smears and attacks China,” Lin stated, “but also blatantly attempts to lure Chinese personnel, even government officials, to become their informants.” He added that Beijing would take “all measures necessary to resolutely push back infiltration and sabotage activities from overseas and defend national sovereignty, security and development interests.”

The recruitment videos released on May 1 encourage Chinese individuals, particularly those with access to sensitive information, to secretly cooperate with the US intelligence community. The targeted groups include those working in economic, fiscal, and trade policy sectors, as well as those in national security, defense industries, diplomacy, science, and advanced technologies.

In the videos, the CIA assures potential recruits that their identities will........

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