China Denounces CIA Recruitment Ads as Political Provocation

In a sharp rebuke, China has condemned the latest CIA recruitment campaign targeting Chinese officials, calling it a “naked political provocation.” The criticism came after the US intelligence agency released several videos aimed at recruiting Chinese personnel to defect and share state secrets. The CIA’s move has added fuel to the already strained relations between the two global powers, whose ongoing rivalry has been marked by accusations of espionage and cyberattacks.

On Tuesday, China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian decried the CIA’s efforts as a direct attack on China’s sovereignty and security. Lin accused the United States of using “malicious” tactics to undermine China, stating that the CIA was not only smearing and attacking China but also attempting to lure Chinese officials into betraying their country.

“The United States not only maliciously smears and attacks China, but also openly deceives and lures Chinese personnel to surrender, even directly targeting Chinese government officials,” Lin said. He further criticized the US for its history of espionage and for interfering in the internal affairs of other nations.

The CIA recruitment ads, which have gone viral on social media platforms, feature cinematic videos that encourage Chinese officials to cooperate with the United States and provide intelligence. According to CIA Director John Ratcliffe, the recruitment initiative is part of a broader strategy to adjust its tradecraft and improve intelligence gathering methods.

“We are adjusting our tradecraft at the CIA. These videos are just one of many ways we’re trying to reach out to individuals who may be disillusioned with their governments,” Ratcliffe explained in a statement. However, the Chinese government has expressed its strong opposition to such tactics, considering them a direct challenge to the country’s political and national security interests.


This latest incident is just one of many examples in the long-standing espionage feud between China and the United States. In recent months, the two countries have exchanged sharp words over espionage activities, with China accusing the US of deploying agents to carry out cyberattacks and steal state secrets.

Earlier in April, China’s Ministry of State Security reported that it had uncovered a plot involving three US “secret agents” who were allegedly responsible for a series of cyberattacks during the Asian Winter Games in Harbin. This followed the March revelation that China had sentenced a former engineer to death for allegedly leaking state secrets to a foreign power, though the identity of that power was not disclosed.

In the wake of these allegations, the Chinese government has vowed to take “necessary measures” to crack down on what it perceives as foreign interference and sabotage. Lin Jian reiterated China’s commitment to safeguarding its sovereignty, security, and development interests, promising to take decisive action against any individuals or forces attempting to undermine the country’s stability.

“China will firmly safeguard national sovereignty, development, and security interests,” Lin said. “We will resolutely crack down on the infiltration and sabotage activities of foreign anti-China forces.”


The rising number of espionage-related incidents highlights the increasing tension between China and the United States, two of the world’s most powerful nations. Both sides have accused each other of conducting espionage campaigns to gain an upper hand in various global matters, from military advancements to economic dominance.

These latest developments are part of an ongoing trade war and diplomatic standoff, as both nations seek to assert their influence over international markets and global geopolitics. As the tension between China and the US continues to escalate, the spotlight will likely remain on intelligence agencies and their efforts to recruit individuals from rival nations.

In conclusion, China’s sharp condemnation of the CIA’s recruitment campaign is just the latest chapter in the ongoing saga of espionage, cyberattacks, and diplomatic discord between the two superpowers. With both sides taking hardline stances, the global community watches closely as the rivalry unfolds and escalates, further cementing the geopolitical divide between East and West.