Yuance Chen, 38, and Liren “Ryan” Lai, 39, are at risk of being deported. They are accused, among other things, of attempting to recruit spies among members of the United States military. Both men are charged with conspiring to act as agents of China’s Ministry of State Security (MSS). This is the agency that runs our foreign intelligence operations. These charges fall under the Foreign Agent Registration Act (FARA), which makes clear that this act of foreign interference is detrimental to our national security.
The criminal charges exposed a more systemic collusion between Chen and Lai that began at least in 2021. Throughout this period, Lai purportedly trained Chen to become an intelligence-gathering asset. In one especially egregious case, Lai explicitly incited Chen to go overseas. In fact, he proposed paying for Chen’s trip to New York to discuss his connections face to face. This led Chen to San Diego, California, where he met with a Navy employee and toured the USS Abraham Lincoln, an aircraft carrier.
On this visit, Chen reportedly gathered sensitive data regarding the Navy, which he later transmitted back to Lai. Furman’s affidavit is the strongest evidence. It includes photos of Chen taken while posing with the Navy employee and their child on the aircraft carrier’s flight deck, and a visitor’s badge that permitted him access there.
Chen is a legal permanent resident of the United States. He’s said to be personally acquainted with many of the people driving the current military. As indicated by the FBI affidavit, this is just one example of how the PRC government is working to achieve and expand its naval capabilities. This initiative is only one facet of its larger goal to assert control of the South China Sea. Reportedly, the MSS has been given new missions to pursue covertly targeting the US Navy and intelligence gathering.
US officials are rightly lauding action taken on these allegations and encouraging a focus on the ever-present threat of espionage.
“This case underscores the Chinese government’s sustained and aggressive effort to infiltrate our military and undermine our national security from within.” – Attorney General Pamela Bondi
US Attorney Craig H. Missakian elaborated on the situation, explaining,
“These charges reflect the breadth of the efforts by our foreign adversaries to target the United States.”
He promised the public that the government would pursue its counterespionage investigations. They continue to pledge to prosecute any efforts that seek to undermine our national security.
“We will continue to undertake counterespionage investigations and prosecutions, no matter how complex and sensitive, to disrupt attempts to weaken our national security.” – US Attorney Craig H Missakian
For the past few years the U.S. government has increased its enforcement of the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA). This action is intended to address Chinese espionage, which has been described as pervasive. The situation with Chen and Lai illustrates ongoing concerns regarding foreign influence and intelligence operations within the US military framework.
