How China's 'Perfect' Spy Got Caught | Exclusive Preview

Key Concepts

• Ministry of State Security (MSS): China’s primary intelligence agency, functioning similarly to a combination of the CIA and FBI.
• Trade Secret Theft: The deliberate acquisition of confidential information, particularly in high-tech sectors like jet engine technology, to gain a competitive advantage.
• Rob, Replicate, Replace: The Chinese strategy for technological advancement involving stealing intellectual property, reproducing it, and then replacing the original source.
• G (Gi Chowun): The central figure in the case, a Chinese national recruited by the MSS to gather aviation trade secrets in the US.
• Aviation Engineering: A critical field for China’s technological development, particularly jet engine technology, where the US and Europe have historically held a monopoly.

The Case of Gi Chowun: An MSS Operation in the US

This account details the case of Gi Chowun, a Chinese national recruited by China’s Ministry of State Security (MSS) to acquire aviation trade secrets in the United States. The narrative highlights the MSS’s methods, G’s motivations, and the surprisingly amateur nature of his operation.

The MSS Playbook: Rob, Replicate, Replace

The core of the issue lies in China’s aggressive pursuit of technological advancement, particularly in areas where it lags behind the US and Europe. The strategy, described as “Rob, replicate, and replace,” involves systematically stealing intellectual property, reproducing it, and ultimately displacing the original innovators. This is particularly acute in the field of jet engine technology, developed primarily during World War II and historically dominated by the US and European industries. The MSS plays a central role in this effort, blurring the lines between state-sponsored espionage and corporate espionage, seeking secrets beneficial to both the government and Chinese companies. It was stated that “It's in the paper every day what China has alleged to be stealing in mass from the United States.”

Recruitment and Training of G

G, a student at the prestigious Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, specializing in aviation engineering, was identified as a potential asset by the MSS. He was approached at a job fair approximately six months before graduation by a recruiter posing as a professor from a “confidential unit.” This unit was, in reality, the MSS. The MSS was interested in G for two key reasons: his technical expertise in aviation and his existing US visa, making him a low-risk operative for deployment to the US. The recruitment process involved appealing to G’s sense of patriotism and a romanticized view of espionage, described as a “cool kind of sexy, interesting opportunity.” He was “whined and dined” and encouraged to see himself as a modern-day James Bond.

Following his acceptance, G underwent initial training in Nanjing, the hub for aviation trade secret theft operations. He excitedly shared evidence of his recruitment with friends, even sending photos of his MSS registration form and stacks of US $100 bills – a clear indication of his lack of operational security. He received payments of $100,000 every six months.

G’s Life in the US and Initial Activities

In mid-2013, G arrived in the US on a student visa and began studying at the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago. His initial life was unremarkable, consisting of classes, workouts, and online gaming. He hosted visits from his girlfriend and parents and traveled around the country. However, a trip through Salt Lake City proved pivotal. He was introduced to the Mormon church, a development that would later significantly alter the course of the investigation.

Operational Security and Amateurism

Throughout the account, G is portrayed as surprisingly naive and lacking in the skills expected of a trained intelligence operative. His eagerness to share details of his recruitment, including photographic evidence, is repeatedly emphasized. A telling example is his taking a photo of a “top secret blood oath,” which the speaker dismisses as something “No one, Mr. Bean, would do.” This highlights the contrast between the sophisticated goals of the MSS and the amateurish execution of this particular operation. The speaker notes that G was “almost like a kid” and that his case “was almost like a standin for some of the bigger conflicts that were going on between China and the United States.”

The MSS Structure and Operational Approach

The MSS operates differently than Western intelligence agencies. The vast majority of MSS officers remain in China, minimizing risk. G’s recruitment and deployment to the US were unusual. The MSS doesn’t strictly differentiate between espionage for the government and for Chinese companies, viewing both as contributing to China’s overall technological advancement.

G’s Goal: US Citizenship and Intelligence Officer Status

G’s ultimate goal was to obtain US citizenship, which would allow him to become a fully-fledged intelligence officer within the MSS. This ambition underscores the long-term strategic objectives of the MSS and its desire to embed operatives within the US system.

Data and Statistics

• $100,000: The amount G received from the MSS every six months.
• Jet Engine Technology: Identified as a key area of focus for Chinese espionage due to the US and Europe’s historical monopoly.

Synthesis and Conclusion

The case of Gi Chowun illustrates the MSS’s persistent efforts to acquire sensitive US technology, particularly in the aviation sector. While the MSS employs a systematic “Rob, replicate, replace” strategy, the execution of this particular operation was hampered by G’s inexperience and poor operational security. The narrative serves as a cautionary tale, highlighting the need for vigilance in protecting intellectual property and the challenges of countering state-sponsored espionage. The case also reveals a surprising level of amateurism within a sophisticated intelligence operation, suggesting potential vulnerabilities in the MSS’s recruitment and training processes.