Two Chinese nationals were arrested and charged for allegedly spying on U.S. Navy personnel and installations, working for China’s main intelligence agency. The suspects also attempted to recruit additional assets within the military, raising serious concerns about national security breaches.
Key Facts:
- Yuance Chen of Oregon and Liren Lai, visiting from China, were arrested on July 1, 2025, by the FBI with NCIS support.
- The men allegedly worked for China’s Ministry of State Security (MSS) to gather intelligence and recruit U.S. Navy personnel.
- A 2022 “dead drop” involved leaving $10,000 cash in a California locker as part of MSS operations.
- Chen allegedly photographed Navy recruit data and arranged a ship tour with a service member, transmitting details to MSS.
- Both men face charges of acting as foreign agents without notifying the U.S. Attorney General, carrying up to 10 years in prison and $250,000 in fines.
The Rest of The Story:
Federal officials revealed that Chen and Lai acted as covert agents for the People’s Republic of China, targeting U.S. military personnel and infrastructure.
According to the Department of Justice, Lai recruited Chen in 2021, and the two coordinated MSS-directed efforts, including covert cash transfers, surveillance of Navy facilities, and identifying military members for recruitment.
The pair visited U.S. naval sites in Washington and California between 2022 and 2023, including a Navy recruitment center where Chen took photos of a bulletin board listing Chinese-born recruits.
Chen allegedly passed this data to a Chinese intelligence officer.
“Today’s arrests reflect the FBI’s unwavering commitment to protecting our national security,” FBI Director Kash Patel said.
“The individuals charged were acting on behalf of a hostile foreign intelligence service.”
SPY ALERT: FBI Houston and @houstonpolice arrested PRC national Liren Lai on 06/27 for allegedly carrying out clandestine intelligence (spy) operations. Lai sought to identify U.S. Navy personnel for potential recruitment by the Chinese Ministry of State Security. #HouNews pic.twitter.com/Psj26IraEP
— FBI Houston (@FBIHouston) July 1, 2025
Commentary:
The arrests of these Chinese operatives aren’t just another case of espionage—they’re a loud wake-up call.
The Chinese Communist Party’s determination to infiltrate the U.S. military is nothing new, but the brazenness and reach of these actions show just how deep the problem has become.
President Trump returned to office in January 2025 on the promise to defend American sovereignty and restore law and order, and this case proves that mission is underway.
Under his renewed leadership, federal agencies are empowered once again to take aggressive action against foreign threats.
The fact that arrests like these are increasing is no coincidence—it’s the result of stronger policies, renewed resolve, and a White House that’s no longer turning a blind eye to foreign infiltration.
For years, institutions across America were allowed to drift into complacency, leaving openings for adversaries like China to exploit.
That era is over.
The Trump administration’s national security priorities have put the spotlight back on rooting out corruption, spying, and institutional decay.
The infiltration of U.S. Navy facilities and the targeting of recruits with Chinese ties is especially alarming.
Intelligence operatives like those from the Ministry of State Security don’t just collect data—they compromise loyalty, sow distrust, and slowly chip away at America’s defense infrastructure from the inside.
It’s also worth noting how these operatives used seemingly ordinary means—tourist visas, public bulletin boards, social media—to carry out their mission.
These are not shadowy figures in the dark; they are walking among us, exploiting open systems and lax oversight.
Under President Trump, agencies like the FBI and NCIS are back to doing their jobs without political interference, and the results are clear: espionage cases are being uncovered, prosecuted, and neutralized.
That kind of accountability is what has been missing. China isn’t just spying on us—it’s working overtime to weaken us.
The good news is that we finally have leadership willing to call that out and fight back.
The Bottom Line:
China’s long game of infiltration has now reached the heart of our military.
Thanks to coordinated law enforcement efforts, two alleged spies were arrested before they could do more harm.
But this case is a reminder: the threat from Beijing is not hypothetical — it’s already here, and it’s targeting the men and women who defend our country.
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