Friday, December 11, 2020

How a suspected Chinese spy gained access to California politics - Axios

How a suspected Chinese spy gained access to California politics - Axios
"A suspected Chinese intelligence operative developed extensive ties with local and national politicians, including a U.S. congressman, in what U.S. officials believe was a political intelligence operation run by China’s main civilian spy agency between 2011 and 2015, Axios found in a yearlong investigation.
  • Why it matters: The alleged operation offers a rare window into how Beijing has tried to gain access to and influence U.S. political circles.
The woman at the center of the operation, a Chinese national named Fang Fang or Christine Fang, targeted up-and-coming local politicians in the Bay Area and across the country who had the potential to make it big on the national stage.
...Even though U.S. officials do not believe Fang received or passed on classified information, the case "was a big deal, because there were some really, really sensitive people that were caught up" in the intelligence network, a current senior U.S. intelligence official said.
...Among the most significant targets of Fang's efforts was Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.)...Read all.

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