Two Chinese Nationals Arrested For Spying On US Navy, FBI Chief Says 'Not Done Yet'

Last Updated:July 01, 2025, 23:46 IST

Patel said the charged individuals worked for a hostile Chinese intelligence service with the aim to infiltrate and weaken US institutions

FBI Director Kash Patel (IMAGE: REUTERS/FILE)

FBI Director Kash Patel on Tuesday confirmed the arrest of two Chinese nationals in the United States for allegedly spying on the US Navy and attempting to recruit American service members to work for China’s intelligence service.

Kash made the statement on X while sharing a Fox News report, warning that any act of espionage on US soil will be met with “full force".

“Two Chinese nationals were caught spying on US Navy and trying to recruit American service members for the CCP’s intel service. Our FBI won’t stand for it. We tracked them, we stopped them, and we’re not done yet. Espionage on U.S. soil will be met with full force," Patel wrote.

The suspects have been identified as Yuance Chen, a resident of Happy Valley, Oregon, and Liren Lai, who entered the US on a tourist visa in April this year and was staying in Houston, Texas, according to Fox News.

The US Department of Justice officials said that the men were working on behalf of China’s Ministry of State Security (MSS), carrying out secret tasks to collect information on US military bases and personnel.

The DOJ also accused them of trying to recruit potential assets for the MSS and organising a “dead drop" – a secret method of leaving cash payments – to support their activities.

The arrests were made by the FBI with support from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS). Chen was taken into custody in Oregon, while Lai was arrested in Houston.

Patel, who also spoke to the outlet, said, “Today’s arrests reflect the FBI’s unwavering commitment to protecting our national security and safeguarding the integrity of our military."

Patel further said that the individuals charged were working for a hostile foreign intelligence service as part of the Chinese Communist Party’s wider attempt to infiltrate and weaken US institutions.

“Thanks to outstanding coordination with our partners, including NCIS, we disrupted those efforts and sent a clear message: the United States will not tolerate espionage on American soil. Our counterintelligence operations remain focused, vigilant, and relentless," he added.

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News world Two Chinese Nationals Arrested For Spying On US Navy, FBI Chief Says 'Not Done Yet'