US Charges Four Chinese Nationals with Visa Fraud

3 People Arrested, 1 Person Flees to Chinese Consulate in San Francisco

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Sun-mi] The United States has indicted four Chinese nationals on visa fraud charges, arresting three of them. They are accused of concealing their ties to the Chinese military and fraudulently obtaining research visas to conduct research activities in the U.S.

On the 23rd (local time), according to major U.S. media including NBC, John Demers, the Deputy Assistant Attorney General for National Security at the Department of Justice, stated, "Four Chinese nationals have been indicted for fraudulently obtaining U.S. entry visas," adding, "Officials affiliated with the Chinese People's Liberation Army applied for research visas in the U.S. while hiding their military connections." He further explained, "This is part of the Chinese Communist Party's plan to exploit American society and unfairly use academic institutions."

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) announced that it has arrested three of the four individuals indicted for visa fraud. The remaining individual fled to the Chinese Consulate in San Francisco, evading arrest. To prevent further harm, the FBI conducted investigations targeting visa holders suspected of affiliation with the Chinese military in more than 25 cities across the U.S.

U.S. judicial authorities regard the four accused of visa fraud as members of the Chinese military disguised as researchers. It is alleged that the Chinese government sends military scientists and researchers to American universities to extract confidential information. The four indicted individuals had stated during their research visa applications that they had no ties to the People's Liberation Army.

Amid worsening U.S.-China relations following the U.S. order to close the Chinese Consulate in Houston, Texas, citing intellectual property and personal data protection, the news of the arrests of those accused of visa fraud has further heightened tensions. On the 21st, the U.S. government demanded that the Chinese government withdraw from the Houston consulate within 72 hours. Former President Donald Trump warned that additional consulates could also be closed beyond the Houston consulate.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said regarding the closure of the Chinese Consulate in Houston, "It was because it was a hub for Chinese espionage activities and intellectual property theft."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.