Two US Navy sailors have been arrested on allegations of sharing data with China

 

According to US sources, two US Navy sailors have been detained on suspicion of giving sensitive information about national security to China.

According to the officials, Petty Officer Wenheng Zhao, 26, was charged with conspiracy and bribery in connection with accepting approximately $15,000 in exchange for pictures and videos containing secret US military intelligence.

Unknown age US Navy sailor Jinchao Wei was accused of plotting to sell China sensitive national defense information in exchange for thousands of dollars.

Because of the men's acts, "sensitive military information ended up in the hands of the People's Republic of China," Assistant Attorney General Matt Olsen told reporters in San Diego.

According to US officials, Zhao is accused of sending his Chinese handler blueprints and electrical diagrams for a radar system on a US military base in Okinawa, Japan, as well as security information for US naval facilities in Ventura County and San Clemente Island outside of Los Angeles. He is also alleged to have sent plans for US military exercises in the Indo-Pacific region.

Wei is accused of leaking details on other American warships as well as the amphibious assault ship USS Essex, where he served. These details allegedly include dozens of technical manuals outlining Essex's equipment, organizational structure, and operational procedures.

Wei and Zhao's contact information was not readily available.

At the news briefing on Thursday, US officials denounced China's spying efforts.

According to FBI Special Agent Stacey Moy, "there is no bigger, multigenerational threat to the United States" than China. Beijing "will stop at nothing to attack the United States in its strategic plan to become the world's sole superpower."

A message seeking a response to the claims was not immediately answered by the Chinese Embassy in Washington.

For years, there has been tension between the US and China on a number of commercial and national security issues. China has denied the allegations of cyberattacks and espionage made by the United States. Additionally, China has claimed that spies are a threat to its security.