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China warns of 'measures' following CIA’s Chinese-language recruitment drive

Friday, 13 February 2026 11:09 AM [ Last Update: Friday, 13 February 2026 11:26 AM ]

Soldiers of the People’s Liberation Army of China

Beijing has warned it would take "all necessary measures" against foreign spies, hitting back after the US spy agency posted a recruitment video aimed at Chinese military personnel.

The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has published a video aimed at luring members of China’s military to spy for the United States. Titled “Save the Future,” the video was released on YouTube and other social media on Thursday. It is the third such CIA recruitment clip targeting Chinese officials.

"China will take all necessary measures to resolutely combat infiltration and sabotage activities of foreign anti-China forces and resolutely safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests," foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian told a press conference on Friday when asked about the CIA video.

The video shows a fictional mid-level Chinese officer attending work meetings and then apparently leaking secrets on his computer.

The video’s final screen displays instructions on how to securely contact the US spy agency.

CIA Director John Ratcliffe said in a statement that the agency's videos had reached many Chinese citizens and that it would continue offering Chinese government officials an alleged "opportunity to work toward a brighter future together."

Liu Pengyu, a spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in Washington, said the CIA video “constitutes a serious infringement on China’s national interests.”

Beijing, Liu added, “strongly condemns the move and will take all necessary means to resolutely counter infiltration and sabotage by anti-China forces abroad, and to firmly safeguard its sovereignty, security, and development interests."

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Last year, the CIA released a pair of similar videos. The Chinese Foreign Ministry denounced the move, saying Washington has long been using all kinds of despicable methods to steal other countries' secrets and interfere in their domestic affairs.

"Such behavior severely violates international law and basic norms governing international relations, and seriously endangers international security and stability,” it said.

The US not only maliciously smears and attacks China, but also attempts to lure Chinese personnel, even government officials, to be its informants.

In recent years, the CIA has been scrambling to rebuild its spy network in China since Beijing dismantled it between 2010 and 2012.

In response, China has intensified efforts to warn citizens to be alert to espionage.

Tensions have been running high between China and the US over tariffs imposed by the administration of President Donald Trump, leading Beijing to restrict the export of minerals crucial for American industry.

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