US DOJ: Over 1,000 Chinese Researchers Left US as Counterintelligence Efforts Increased

Claims that Chinese spies are targeting Biden associates
US also decides to ban exports of Xinjiang autonomous region-produced cotton products

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] As the U.S. government has intensified counterintelligence activities including consecutive intellectual property rights crackdowns, claims have emerged that over 1,000 Chinese researchers have left the United States.

On the 2nd (local time), at an online meeting hosted by the Aspen Institute think tank, John Demers, U.S. Department of Justice Assistant Attorney General for National Security, stated, "After the U.S. Department of Justice filed multiple lawsuits against Chinese informants on industrial espionage charges, researchers departed the country." The researchers mentioned by Assistant Attorney General Demers are presumed to be linked to the Chinese military and are different individuals from the 1,000 whose visas were revoked, the U.S. Department of Justice explained.

Earlier, in July this year, the U.S. government closed the Chinese Consulate General in Houston and began investigations into researchers affiliated with the Chinese People's Liberation Army. The U.S. government had intensified investigations into Chinese-origin researchers who worked in the U.S. but concealed their affiliation or service with the People's Liberation Army when applying for visas. The Houston consulate was also accused of providing refuge to suspects involved in espionage activities.

Following the closure of the Chinese Consulate General in Houston, the Chinese government demanded the closure of the U.S. Consulate General in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, as a retaliatory measure.

At this meeting, there were also claims that Chinese spies are targeting personnel associated with President-elect Joe Biden, who will take office in January. William Evanina, Director of the National Counterintelligence and Security Center (NCSC), stated, "Chinese spies are already targeting not only the incoming administration personnel of President-elect Joe Biden but also individuals around the Biden team." However, Director Evanina did not disclose specific details.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), under the Department of Homeland Security, has decided to impose export restrictions on the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps (XPCC), which has been producing cotton products in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. XPCC is a quasi-military organization responsible for border defense while simultaneously engaging in political, military, and production activities, supplying one-third of China's cotton production.

With the additional import restrictions imposed against China, there are forecasts that the approach to U.S.-China relations under President-elect Biden, who will take office in January, will become even more complicated.

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