US court sentences Chinese spy who stole trade secrets to 20 years in prison in Ohio

A U.S. federal court last year sentenced a Chinese intelligence officer to 20 years in prison for plotting to steal trade secrets from U.S. and French aerospace companies.

Xu Yanjun is leading a five-year Chinese government-backed plan to steal commercial secrets from GE Aviation, one of the world’s leading aircraft engine manufacturers, and the Safran Group of France, which worked with GE on engine development. accused of playing a role

Xu was one of 11 Chinese, including two intelligence officers. Indicted in federal court in October 2018 It is located in Cincinnati, Ohio, home of GE Aviation.

A Chinese State Ministry security intelligence officer was arrested in Belgium in April 2018. He was apparently lured into counterintelligence work. He had secretly planned to meet his GE employees during the trip.

He was extradited to the United States, put on trial, and convicted at a jury trial on November 5, 2021 of attempted economic espionage, attempted trade secret theft, and two related conspiracy charges.

The prosecution had sought a 25-year sentence as a deterrent against similar acts, but Xu’s attorneys, in previous court filings, said such a sentence request would have prevented a conviction for such crimes. He said that he received more than was given to others.

“Xu targeted American airlines and recruited employees to travel. Chinaand all on behalf of the Government of the People’s Republic of China, seeking their proprietary information,” the Justice Department said in a statement.

“This case sends a clear message: We will hold accountable those who seek to steal U.S. trade secrets.” Ohio Federal Attorney Kenneth Parker.

Last year, China’s foreign ministry called the charges against Mr. Xu “pure hoaxes.”

U.S. officials say the Chinese government poses the greatest long-term threat to the U.S. economy and national security in an unprecedented effort to steal key technology from U.S. companies and researchers. I’m here.

FBI Director Christopher Wray said his agency opens new counterintelligence cases related to China about twice a day.