Chinese Nationals Charged with Espionage Against U.S. Navy Operations

According to a recent report from the FBI, two individuals of Chinese nationality have been apprehended on allegations of espionage for China’s intelligence apparatus. the suspects, Yuance Chen, 38, and Liren “Ryan” Lai, 39, are accused of gathering sensitive data regarding U.S. Navy operations and facilitating the recruitment of potential informants within the U.S. military.

The charges reveal that in 2021, Lai enlisted Chen to assist with activities linked to China’s Ministry of State Security (MSS) while they were based in Guangzhou. Their operation included a plan involving a cash drop amounting to $10,000 at an undisclosed location in Livermore,California.

In subsequent years—specifically 2022 and 2023—Chen was reportedly assigned tasks that involved visiting a Navy recruitment center located in San Gabriel, California. His role was to identify prospective recruits and interact with them prior to their enlistment into military service. Additionally, he shared images and videos with Lai showcasing various naval installations and vessels like the USS Abraham Lincoln.

Lai’s activities also took him to Houston during April and May of 2025 as part of their ongoing efforts before both men were arrested by FBI agents on June 27 during coordinated sting operations. They now face serious charges for operating as foreign agents without proper notification to the Justice Department—a violation that could lead up to ten years behind bars along with hefty fines reaching $250,000.

omar Lopez from the Naval Criminal investigative service (NCIS) emphasized that China has long sought ways to recruit American military personnel as intelligence assets due to their access to critical defense information. This incident underscores ongoing concerns about national security amid rising geopolitical tensions where foreign entities attempt infiltration through various means within sensitive sectors like defense.