Chinese Ministry of State Security

China’s Ministry of State Security (MSS) on Thursday disclosed a case in which a personnel from a Chinese overseas institution was targeted and coerced by an overseas espionage agency through a carefully staged “romantic drama,” reminding individuals to enhance security awareness in foreign exchanges, which is not only a safeguard for national security but also a responsibility for personal safety.

Zhang, a personnel stationed at a Chinese overseas institution, regularly visited upscale venues known for extravagant entertainment and social gatherings during his time abroad. During a banquet, Zhang met Li, a member of an overseas business association, and their relationship quickly deepened. Li invited Zhang to various gatherings under different pretenses, quickly strengthening their relations and gaining Zhang’s trust, according to an article released by the MSS via its official WeChat account on Thursday.

As their friendship grew, Zhang subtly expressed to Li his interest in “special entertainment venues” during one of their meetings. Li, picking up on this information, promptly reported it to the “superior.” Then a meticulously crafted “romantic drama” designed for Zhang had quietly begun to unfold, according to the article.

Following instructions from the overseas espionage agency, Li took Zhang to a local adult entertainment venue. Unaware of the setup, Zhang was caught soliciting prostitution by “local law enforcement.” Faced with the evidence, Zhang could only turn to Li for help. Li pretended to comfort him while secretly contacting a reliable “brother”—a personnel from an overseas espionage intelligence agency. The “brother” quickly arrived at the scene and, after several negotiations, managed to secure Zhang’s “freedom,” said the MSS.

Unaware that he was being manipulated, Zhang did not realize that every moment, from raising a toast to his arrest—had been meticulously recorded by the espionage agency’s cameras. They used these as leverage to force Zhang to become a pawn, to be used for their purposes, said the MSS.

Shortly after the incident, Li’s “brother” met Zhang again, revealed himself as an intelligence operative, and blackmailed Zhang into providing internal information. Under the pressure of threats and temptations, Zhang agreed to the “cooperation” and, taking advantage of his work position, provided a large amount of confidential internal information to the overseas espionage intelligence agency through various means such as printing, photographing, writing, and verbal communication, in exchange for money, according to the MSS. 

Before returning to China, Zhang even signed a “commitment letter” agreeing to continue spying after his return, further endangering national security. 

Following an investigation by national security authorities, Zhang was placed under criminal detention upon his return to China. Zhang was severely punished for leaking state secrets to an overseas espionage agency, according to the MSS.

Global Times