China warns college students towards ‘lovely girls’ and ‘good-looking guys’ who would possibly flip them into spies

HONG KONG — China’s major intelligence company has a warning for young people: Watch out for “good-looking guys” and “lovely girls” trying to flip them into spies.

University students with entry to categorized or delicate analysis knowledge ought to particularly guard towards international intelligence brokers who would possibly attempt to lure them into false romantic relationships after which manipulate them into spying towards China, the Ministry of State Security mentioned Wednesday in a publish on the social media platform WeChat.

The company has printed a collection of such posts since launching its WeChat account final August, urging the general public to be alert to all method of international threats as Chinese language chief Xi Jinping prioritizes the strengthening of nationwide safety.

China has been buying and selling accusations of espionage with america and its allies amid tense relations between the world’s two largest economies. The Chinese language company’s newest warning comes as U.S. prosecutors allege that Linda Sun, a former prime aide to New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, acted as a secret agent for the Chinese government.

Solar and her husband, Chris Hu, who was additionally arrested, have each pleaded not responsible. A Chinese language International Ministry spokesperson declined to touch upon the case however expressed opposition to any try to “smear or slander” China.

In recent times, Chinese language college students have been focused by schemes that purpose to entice them into giving up info by way of job presents or on-line friendship, the Ministry of State Safety mentioned, with out giving particulars.

International brokers, disguised as lecturers, researchers or consultants, start by tempting college students with “restricted monetary assets” with guarantees of excessive pay for little work, in response to the publish.

“They exploit the curiosity and willingness of younger folks to attempt new issues,” the publish mentioned, and may additionally deal with them to meals, give them items or assist them make connections.

Then they get college students to collect and share categorized info by giving “obscure” directions, earlier than trapping them with “false affections,” the publish mentioned, providing additional “coaching and steerage” by way of social media, cellphone calls or video conferences.

“They present care in day by day life, providing assist and fixing issues, incomes the scholars’ belief,” the company warned. “Some even fake to be affectionate ‘good-looking guys’ or ‘lovely girls,’ trapping younger college students in false romantic relationships.”

Lastly, recruiters will start “manipulating the scholars into participating in additional covert unlawful actions,” comparable to photographing delicate navy areas, the publish mentioned. If the scholars resist, they may “drop their ‘pleasant’ facade” and coerce them into persevering with to spy.

The Ministry of State Safety account encompasses a host of content material in nearly day by day posts, together with comics and animated collection.

Just like the U.S. and different Western nations, it has additionally been disclosing particulars of alleged particular person circumstances. On Monday, the company mentioned that staff of a Chinese language firm accused of illegally gathering railway knowledge for an abroad shopper that serves international intelligence businesses had been jailed and disadvantaged of their political rights.

In June, it mentioned British intelligence had recruited a husband and wife who each labored for the Chinese language authorities. A spokesperson for Rishi Sunak, the British prime minister on the time, mentioned it was the federal government’s “longstanding coverage to not touch upon the work of our intelligence businesses or safety issues.”