A recent House Committee on Homeland Security report indicates that Chinese espionage threats to the United States saw a notable rise under Joe Biden. The “threat snapshot” outlines over 60 instances of China-backed activities aimed at acquiring military and trade secrets and conducting transnational repression. Concerns have been raised about the former government’s handling of China.
The report highlights the extensive reach of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and its assets on American soil. According to Committee Chairman Mark E. Green, these efforts are not limited to targeting the U.S. military and government. “If you think the U.S. military and our government are the only targets of the Chinese Communist Party, think again,” he warned. “The shadow of Beijing’s malign influence falls upon American businesses, university campuses, and the critical infrastructure we rely on—not to mention those on U.S. soil who dare to speak out against the CCP.”
The snapshot tracks incidents from January 2021 to February 2025, identifying cases in 20 states. The report notes that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) initiates a new investigation every 12 hours to address Chinese intelligence operations. China is also implicated in approximately 60 percent of trade theft cases in the U.S.
Key incidents noted in the report include the case of Chen Jinping, who pleaded guilty to operating an undeclared Chinese police station in Manhattan. Yaoning Sun, a.k.a Mike Sun, a California councilwoman’s fiancé who is accused of working for Beijing while serving as a campaign manager, is also highlighted.
