China accused of targeting laid-off U.S. officials in recruitment ploy

• American intelligence has warned that China is attempting to recruit U.S. government employees, including those who lost their jobs due to layoffs in federal agencies.
• The U.S. National Counterintelligence and Security Center (NCSC) has reported that Chinese intelligence agencies are posing as consulting firms and recruiters on social media platforms.
• Beijing responded by stating that the U.S. has long been involved in espionage activities worldwide, while accusing other countries of similar actions.

American intelligence, through the U.S. National Counterintelligence and Security Center (NCSC), has warned that Chinese intelligence agencies are targeting current and former U.S. government employees. These agencies are posing as consulting firms, corporate recruiters, and think tanks on social media platforms. This warning emerged in the context of mass layoffs in federal agencies, ordered by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

The spokesperson for China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, when asked about the NCSC warning, stated that he has no knowledge of the situation. He added that the U.S. falsely accuses other countries of espionage while conducting such actions against China and its allies. Reuters previously reported on a network of companies led by a Chinese technology firm attempting to recruit laid-off U.S. federal administration employees.

The NCSC reminded employees with security clearances for classified information that they are obliged to protect this data even after leaving public institutions. The methods used by foreign intelligence are becoming increasingly sophisticated, and third countries are actively seeking to recruit individuals with government administration experience who are seeking new employment.