Two US Navy sailors charged with alleged spying for China
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One of the arrested sailors faces charges of conspiracy and receipt of a bribe from a Chinese official.
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A ceremonial US Navy unit marches in before President Joe Biden welcomes French President Emmanuel Macron during a State Arrival Ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, Dec. 1, 20'22 (AP)
Two US Navy sailors have been arrested on charges related to "national security" in connection to China, the Associated Press reported.
One of the sailors, aged 22, stationed in San Diego, was apprehended on espionage charges involving conspiracy to provide national defense information to Chinese officials.
The other sailor was arrested at Naval Base Ventura County, near Los Angeles, and faces charges of conspiracy and alleged receipt of a bribe from a Chinese official.
The prosecutor claimed that one of the Navy officials sent National Defense information to China, which included documents and photos in return for thousands of dollars, Reuters reported.
The prosecutor added that China had allegedly received information on US military activities in the Indo-Pacific.
The arrests come amid already tense relations between the United States and China, characterized by disputes over national security and trade issues.
Read more: Taiwan to receive $345 million military package from US through PDA
Yesterday, the Taiwanese Defense Ministry announced that an army officer was detained by Taipei over accusations of handing military secrets to China, adding that a group of collaborators were also arrested.
A lieutenant colonel named "Hsieh", along with a number of other defendants, was suspected of working on behalf of China to access and leak sensitive national defense information.
The ranking army official is also accused of establishing a spy network, comprised of serving and retired military personnel, to collect intelligence for China, the Taipei Times newspaper said, citing unnamed prosecutors with Taiwan’s High Prosecutors Office.
Four individuals, including a retired army major, were also questioned by the authorities before being released on bail, the newspaper added.
Read more: Taiwan's FM warns of 'disastrous results' in conflict with China
