The US Department of Defense and FBI say they have tracked over 100 incidents of Chinese nationals posing as tourists to breach US military bases.
These Chinese “gate crashers” were detected crossing into a US missile range in New Mexico, while others were caught swimming near a US government rocket launch site in Florida.
Some Chinese nationals also claimed to have been following Google Maps to reach McDonald’s or other destinations, which happen to be near military facilities.
And just recently, a more concerning incident involved a group of Chinese residents who claimed to have a reservation at a commercial hotel in Fort Wainwright, Alaska.
Fort Wainwright is the base of the US Army’s 11th Airborne Division focused on Arctic warfare.
US officials said the incidents could be treated as potential espionage threats, as Beijing reportedly continues to hire civilians to study security practices at enemy military installations.
‘Diverse Campaign of Theft’
This is not the first time China has been accused of espionage by the US.
Earlier this year, a Chinese spy balloon equipped with solar panels large enough to support multiple intelligence collection sensors entered US airspace without permission.
Two serving members of the US Navy were also arrested on suspicion of spying for China.
According to an FBI spokesperson, the Chinese government continues to engage in a “broad, diverse campaign of theft” without regard for laws or international norms.
The FBI warned that such activities on US territory would not be tolerated.
“In coordination with our defense and intelligence community partners, along with state and local law enforcement, the FBI is committed to protecting our national security and defense information from the Chinese government’s actions and ultimately, their efforts to undermine our democracy and those who defend it,” the spokesman told Fox News Digital.
