BEIJING: China's top spy agency published new details this week about a U.S. citizen jailed for life for espionage earlier this year, describing his recruitment by U.S. agents, how they fabricated his legend, and how he helped them entrap surveillance targets.
When a court in Eastern China jailed 78-year-old John Shing-wan Leung to life in May it ended his more than three decade long career as an "American spy", the Ministry of State Security wrote in a statement on its official WeChat account on Monday titled "Prominent American Spy Captured in China!".
Born in Hong Kong, Leung went to the United States in 1983 to run a restaurant, before being "formally" recruited as an informant by an unnamed U.S. spy agency in 1989 and in the same year became a U.S. citizen, the ministry's statement said.
Leung was promised $1,000 a month as well as bonuses for intelligence and a false "persona" was created to polish his "social image" to help him get close to Chinese institutions and individuals in the United States, the ministry said.
This false legend included attending university in the United Kingdom, holding a position in the United Nations and serving in the Vietnam war. The ministry said Leung was also instructed to make donations to charities and U.S. state legislators "to raise his profile".
Using this cover, the ministry said, Leung attended meals and festivals and helped organise immigrant group activities to gather intelligence on Chinese nationals and overseas Chinese in the United States.
He also brought targeted people to restaurants and hotels where surveillance devices were installed with the aim of extracting information they spilled or entrapping them.
According to the security ministry, Leung was directed to go to China by his U.S. handlers in 2020, when the pandemic restrictions made entry to the country difficult. Aged 75, Leung "used multiple identity documents to transit through Hong Kong and arrived in mainland China" in late that year, it said.
"Under the guidance of several American spies, Liang Chengyun collected a significant amount of intelligence related to China," the statement said, using his Chinese name, adding that he was given a "Meritorious Service Medal" by U.S. intelligence agencies.
The U.S. embassy in Beijing did not immediately reply to a request for comment.
The Chinese ministry did not explain in the post why it chose to share details months after Leung's conviction, but it has been conducting a national security publicity campaign with a stated aim of rooting out foreign spies and its official WeChat account only went live in August.
The release of the ministry's report on Leung coincided with a media storm in the UK after The Times of London published details about the arrest of a British parliamentary researcher suspected of spying for China.
In August, China separately released details of two investigations into Chinese nationals accused of spying for the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).
In its statement on Leung, the security ministry warned that anyone who joins an espionage organization or accepts jobs via agents should be sentenced to at least 10 years to life in prison.
The foreign business and diplomatic community in China has become more guarded following the expansion of Beijing's anti-spying law earlier this year.
Reuters
Tue Sep 12 2023
China's top spy agency published new details this week about a U.S. citizen jailed for life for espionage earlier this year. - REUTERS
ISIS Malaysia's perspective of Budget 2025
An excellent rakyat-centric budget under the overarching principle of a caring and humane economy.
Budget 2025: Record increase in STR, SARA aid initiatives
The government will provide a significant boost to the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) initiatives next year.
Budget 2025: EPF contributions to be made mandatory for foreign workers – PM Anwar
The government plans to make it compulsory for all non-citizen workers to contribute to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).
What policies to expect from Indonesia's new President Prabowo
Prabowo will be open to foreign investment, his aide has said, such as by offering investors management of airports and sea ports.
Budget 2025: Govt allocates RM470 mil to empower women's participation in PMKS
The Women's Leadership Apprenticeship Program will be intensified as an effort to produce more female corporate personalities.
Israel sends more troops into north Gaza, deepens raid
Residents of Jabalia in northern Gaza said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp, using heavy air and ground fire.
Indonesia ramps up security ahead of Prabowo's inauguration
Prabowo Subianto will be sworn in as Indonesia's president on Sunday with Vice President-elect, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, also taking office.
Immediate allocation of RM150 mil for local authorities, DID to tackle flash floods
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this allocation is intended to address the recent flash floods that hit the capital and several major towns.
Budget 2025: Sabah, Sarawak to continue receiving among highest allocations - PM
Sabah and Sarawak continues to be prioritised under Budget 2025, with allocations of RM6.7 billion and RM5.9 billion respectively.
NFOF will be operational in November 2024 with funding of RM1 bil
PM Anwar Ibrahim said NFOF will support venture capital fund managers to invest in startup companies with RM300 million set aside for 2025.
Minimum wage to increase to RM1,700 effective Feb 1, 2025
The Progressive Wage Policy would be fully enforced next year with an allocation of RM200 million, benefiting 50,000 workers.
Bursa Malaysia ends higher on Budget 2025 optimism
The benchmark index, which opened 1.85 points higher at 1,643.29, moved between 1,641.71 and 1,649.31 throughout the trading session.
Five important aspects relating to people’s lives in Budget 2025 - PM
The focus is on driving the MADANI Economy, speeding reforms, cutting red tape, raising wages, and tackling the cost of living.
Economic outlook: Govt plans to leverage, expand existing city transit system
The expansion aims to provide a more efficient and reliable public transportation network, reduce congestion, and improve accessibility.
Economic outlook: Budget 2025 to lay foundation for a digital-driven economy
The report said Budget 2025 will entail efforts to position Kuala Lumpur as a top 20 global startup hub by 2030 through the KL20 initiative.
Economic outlook: Corruption and lack of accountability hinder economic progress
Special Cabinet Committee on National governance is established to curb corruption, law reforms to modernise outdate regulations, MoF said.
National Wages Consultative Council will be strengthened
The govt will also incentivise hiring women returning from career breaks, offer job matching and improve care services facilities.
Economic outlook: Ensuring 11 years of compulsory education for all children
Budget 2025 will continue prioritising upskilling and retraining initiatives to equip workers with the latest skill sets necessary.
Consolidated public sector projected to record lower surplus of RM41.7 bil 2024
The MoF said the consolidated general government revenue is estimated to increase slightly to RM384.7 billion in 2024.
PM announces substantial Budget 2025 hastening Malaysia to become Asian economic powerhouse
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said it would create jobs and also tackle financial leakages to enhance public spending efficiency.