In a shocking development, two members of the United States Navy have been apprehended on charges of divulging classified military secrets to China, thereby jeopardizing the country's national security. Assistant Attorney General for National Security, Matt Olsen, emphasized the unwavering resolve of the Department of Justice to hold these individuals accountable, vowing to be “relentless” in the pursuit of justice.

During a press conference, Olsen expressed deep concern over China's audacity and the breadth of its attempts to subvert US laws, asserting that China "stands apart" as a significant threat to US security. The accused Navy service-members have been identified as Jinchao Wei, also known as Patrick, and Wenheng Zhao, who goes by the name Thomas. According to the Department of Justice, they were involved in separate intelligence-gathering operations while serving in the US Navy.

The alleged conspiracy involving Jinchao Wei began in 2022 when he was working as a machinist's mate on the USS Essex, an amphibious assault ship. Prosecutors contend that in February of that year, Wei initiated communication with a Chinese intelligence officer, who sought classified information about the Essex and other US Navy vessels. Wei stands accused of transmitting numerous technical manuals and blueprints to the Chinese intelligence officer, thereby exposing crucial weapons systems and critical technology employed on board these ships. Additionally, he purportedly captured photographs and videos of military equipment, which he subsequently shared with the intelligence officer. Notably, one of the officer's requests entailed obtaining information about an imminent maritime warfare exercise involving US Marines, to which Wei responded by sending multiple photographs of military equipment. Wei has been charged with conspiracy to transmit national defense information to China.

In a separate but equally serious case, the Justice Department charged Wenheng Zhao with accepting bribes in exchange for providing sensitive photos and videos to a Chinese intelligence officer. Zhao is alleged to have engaged in this illicit behavior from August 2021 until at least May of this year. The information he disclosed included operational plans for a US military exercise in the Indo-Pacific Region. Zhao also surreptitiously recorded classified information, which he then handed over to the intelligence officer. The Justice Department has not confirmed if the two sailors were lured or paid by the same Chinese intelligence officer.

These arrests serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenge posed by foreign espionage and underscore the critical importance of stringent security measures within the US military. The Department of Justice, along with other relevant agencies, remains committed to safeguarding national security and aggressively prosecuting those who compromise it.