A former Chinese research institute engineer has been sentenced to death for selling highly classified information to foreign spy agencies. According to China’s Ministry of State Security, the man, identified only by his surname, Liu, carefully devised a plan to betray his country in exchange for financial gain.
A Secret Plan to Sell Intelligence
Liu had been employed at a prestigious research institute where he had access to sensitive government intelligence. However, he reportedly felt mistreated at his workplace. Instead of addressing his grievances through legal or professional channels, he decided to take revenge. Before leaving his job, he secretly gathered and stored a significant amount of classified information, intending to use it as leverage for blackmail.
After resigning from the institute, Liu initially pursued a career in finance. He joined an investment firm, hoping to build a secure future. However, his financial ventures quickly collapsed, leaving him in severe debt. Desperate for money, he saw an opportunity to exploit the classified information he had taken. He then reached out to a foreign spy agency, offering to sell national secrets in exchange for cash.
China’s Pacific Push Raises Five Eyes Espionage Fears for New Zealand
A Desperate Journey Across Borders
The foreign agency accepted Liu’s offer but reportedly paid him a “very low price” for the intelligence. After obtaining the information they needed, they cut all ties with him. Finding himself abandoned and still in financial distress, Liu grew even more desperate. Instead of stopping, he continued his illegal activities, seeking out other foreign entities that might be interested in purchasing Chinese state secrets.
Over the next six months, Liu traveled to several countries in secret, trying to sell more classified information. His actions, according to Chinese authorities, resulted in a severe breach of national security. The Ministry of State Security stated that his espionage activities had caused significant damage.
Secret Sabotage: Poland Jails 2 Russians for Espionage and Wagner Links
Eventually, the authorities tracked him down. Liu was arrested and interrogated, and during the investigation, he confessed to his crimes. Given the severity of his betrayal, he was sentenced to death. In addition to the death sentence, he was stripped of all political rights for life.
China’s Ministry of State Security made an example of Liu’s case, warning others against attempting similar crimes. “Desperadoes who want to take shortcuts to heaven will all suffer consequences,” the ministry stated. The message was clear—espionage is a serious crime, and those who engage in it will face the harshest possible punishment.
Growing Concerns Over Espionage
Liu’s case is part of a larger pattern of increasing espionage concerns in China. The government has been issuing repeated warnings about foreign intelligence agencies attempting to recruit Chinese nationals to steal sensitive state secrets. Authorities claim that these agencies target individuals in various sectors, including government, research, and business.
This is not the first time China has handed down the death penalty for espionage. In November last year, another Chinese citizen who worked for a state agency was also sentenced to death. Authorities accused him of being manipulated by foreign spies after they obtained a USB flash drive containing classified government data. Officials claimed that the individual became a “puppet” of foreign intelligence services, helping them gather more sensitive information.
Another high-profile case involved Australian writer Yang Hengjun, who was convicted of espionage in China. Yang, known for blogging about human rights issues, was handed a suspended death sentence in February. The details of his charges remain unclear, but his case has drawn international attention, with the Australian government repeatedly calling for his release.
China is not the only country dealing with espionage threats. Around the world, governments are tightening security measures and increasing surveillance to prevent intelligence leaks. Several nations have arrested Chinese nationals in recent years on accusations of spying, further straining international relations.
As global tensions rise, governments remain on high alert for potential threats to their national security. China’s latest crackdown on espionage highlights the country’s determination to protect its state secrets and deter future intelligence leaks.
