Tag: Chinese consulate

US’ University under FBI probe over China’s attempt to steal Covid-19 research
17Aug By Grace TsoiNo Comments
World

US’ University under FBI probe over China’s attempt to steal Covid-19 research

America’s University of Texas whose work has contributed to some promising COVID-19 vaccine candidates has been contacted by FBI over allegations that Chinese consulate in Houston had sought to obtain such research.As per reports, the University told faculty and research staff in an email on July 27 that it was notified of the investigation by the FBI. FBI agents would contact university researchers about the alleged role of the consulate and "efforts by the Chinese government to illegally procure research from American universities, including coronavirus vaccine research", according to the emailRecently, the US ordered China to close its Consulate General in Houston over allegations of espionage. In retaliation, China ordered US to shut down its Consulate General in Chengdu.The US State D
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US shutting China’s Houston consulate aimed at reducing Beijing’s espionage
15Aug By Grace TsoiNo Comments
World

US shutting China’s Houston consulate aimed at reducing Beijing’s espionage

A former American intelligence official has said that by shutting down the Chinese consulate in Houston, the US is likely making it an example in order to achieve its goal of a reduction in Beijing’s espionage activities without taking even harsher measures, such as shuttering its San Francisco or New York consulates.“San Francisco is the real gem but the US will not close it,” the official said.In July, the US had asked China to close its Houston consulate to “protect American intellectual property and Americans’ private information,” White House National Security Council spokesperson John Ullyot said in a statement.In a tit-for-tat response, Beijing ordered the shutting down of the US consulate in Chengdu.The developments come at a time when ties between US-China are at an all-time low o
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From aggressor to appeaser, China caught out in consulate reprisal game
6Aug By Stuart WhiteNo Comments
Opinion

From aggressor to appeaser, China caught out in consulate reprisal game

The Trump administration’s order to shutdown China's consulate in Houston caught Beijing by surprise.The United States claimed the Chinese mission had illegally transferred medical research, turned over information to Chinese institutions and coerced fugitive Chinese citizens to return home.Barrels of documents were burned in the courtyard of the consulate before four Chinese researchers were charged by the Department of Justice for allegedly lying about their links to the People’s Liberation Army (PLA).China had 72 hours to decide how it would react. It used up nearly 48 in the hope of a diplomatic reversal. Beijing had to appear strong to placate nationalists at home but avoid provoking America into a deeper economic, diplomatic or even military confrontation that neither side is prepare
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US says Chinese fugitive researcher taken into its custody, was part of espionage network
5Aug By Grace TsoiNo Comments
World

US says Chinese fugitive researcher taken into its custody, was part of espionage network

United States government officials have revealed that the Chinese fugitive researcher, who had been hiding in the Chinese consulate in San Francisco following visa fraud allegations is now in custody.Tang Juan, the scientist who said that she was focusing on biology, "was a fugitive from justice until last night," a senior Justice Department official said. While Tang has been charged, the circumstances of her arrest were unclear. However, she has not been charged with espionage.The development came hours before the US' deadline for China to shut down its consulate in Houston, leading to a retaliatory move from Beijing by demanding Washington to shutter its consulate in Chengdu.In July, prosecutors said that Tang hid her connection to the Chinese military for entering the US, by lying to fe...
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Singaporean pleads guilty to working for Chinese intelligence
4Aug By Grace TsoiNo Comments
Singapore, World

Singaporean pleads guilty to working for Chinese intelligence

The US Department of Justice in a statement on July 24 said that a Singaporean national has pleaded guilty to using his political consultancy in the United States as a front to collect information for Chinese intelligence.The department said that Jun Wei Yeo, who is also known as Dickson Yeo, entered his plea in federal court in Washington, DC to one charge of operating illegally as a foreign agent. “Yeo was central to a Chinese government scheme to obtain sensitive information from US citizens,” the department said."In response to taskings from his Chinese intelligence contacts, Yeo worked to spot and assess Americans with access to valuable non-public information, including US military and government employees with high-level security clearances," it said.“He then paid some of those indi
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China engaged in massive illegal spying for years, claims US
2Aug By Grace TsoiNo Comments
World

China engaged in massive illegal spying for years, claims US

The People's Republic of China has engaged for years in massive illegal spying and influence operations throughout the United States against U.S. government officials and American citizens, US State Department Spokesperson said in a statement."As detailed by Secretary of State Pompeo, FBI Director Wray, and Attorney General Barr in public remarks, PRC officials have interfered in our domestic politics, stolen U.S. intellectual property, coerced our business leaders, threatened families of Chinese Americans residing in China, and more," the State Department spokesperson said.Earlier, US President Donald Trump said that his administration does not rule out closing additional Chinese diplomatic missions in the United States."As far as closing additional embassies, it's always possible. We tho...
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US gives China 72 hours to shut Houston consulate, Trump says other closures possible
30Jul By Grace TsoiNo Comments
World

US gives China 72 hours to shut Houston consulate, Trump says other closures possible

Amid accusations of spying and worsening bilateral relations, the Trump administration has given China 72 hours to close its consulate in Houston.US-China ties have worsened sharply this year over issues: from the coronavirus and Huawei to China’s territorial claims in the South China Sea and clampdown on Hong Kong with its national security law.The U.S. State Department has said that the Chinese mission in Houston was being closed “to protect American intellectual property and Americans’ private information.”At a news briefing, President Donald Trump said that it was “always possible” other Chinese missions could be closed too. “We thought there was a fire in one that we did close,” Trump said. “I guess they were burning documents, or burning papers, and I wonder what that’s all about.”Ov
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