US intelligence agency warns China is trying to recruit government employees

WASHINGTON – The US warned on April 8 that Chinese intelligence is using deceptive methods to target current and former US government employees for recruitment.

The warning from the National Counterintelligence and Security Centre comes amid mass federal firings led by billionaire Elon Musk’s Department of Government of Efficiency.

“Foreign intelligence entities, particularly those in China, are targeting current and former US government employees for recruitment by posing as consulting firms, corporate headhunters, think-tanks and other entities on social and professional networking sites,” the centre said in a bulletin.

The centre said deceptive online job offers and other approaches have become more sophisticated in targeting individuals with US government backgrounds seeking new employment. It warned current and former federal employees of such approaches.

It added that clearance holders are obligated to protect classified data even after leaving federal employment.

The Chinese foreign ministry said on April 9 it was not aware of the situation and accused the US of spying on China.

Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian called the US actions “irresponsible practices” and said it was engaging in “global espionage without any disguise”.

Reuters previously reported about a network of companies operated by a secretive Chinese tech firm that has been trying to recruit recently laid-off US government workers. REUTERS

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