China is a growing threat to the United States. Their latest action proves this.
And the Pentagon is stunned beyond belief after Chinese spies are caught invading the U.S.
A startling exposé from Stanford University has revealed a sophisticated network of espionage, with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) allegedly infiltrating elite academic institutions across the United States to harvest sensitive intelligence. Published by the Stanford Review, the report unveils a chilling narrative of covert operations targeting students and research at one of the world’s most prestigious universities.
A Student’s Brush with Espionage
The story centers on a Stanford student, pseudonymized as “Anna” to safeguard her identity, who was conducting sensitive research when she received unsolicited messages from an individual using the alias Charles Chen. Initially, Chen’s inquiries seemed innocuous, focusing on networking opportunities. However, the tone shifted to something more sinister. “Anna” was taken aback when Chen’s questions grew personal, probing whether she spoke Mandarin, urging her to travel to Beijing on an all-expenses-paid trip, and referencing personal details she had never shared.
Chen’s instructions were calculated: he advised “Anna” on entering China briefly to evade visa scrutiny, insisted on using the CCP-monitored WeChat for communication, and directed her to delete all screenshots. Alarmed, “Under the guidance of experts familiar with espionage tactics, Anna contacted authorities,” the Stanford Review reports.
The subsequent investigation uncovered that Charles Chen had no ties to Stanford. Instead, he had masqueraded as a student for years, subtly altering his online persona to target multiple students—predominantly women researching China-related topics. Experts consulted by “Anna” concluded that Chen was likely an operative of the Chinese Ministry of State Security (MSS), tasked with recruiting sympathetic students and extracting intelligence.
A Systematic Campaign
Interviews conducted by Stanford Review with students and experts paint a picture of a methodical operation. One student involved in the report outlined three key phases of the CCP’s approach: “Number one, what we saw was a full apparatus for extracting information so they would hit the students they wanted, then two, they would administer loyalty tests and three they would demand the information be sent back.”
The stakes are high for Chinese international students, who face intense pressure from the CCP. Refusal to comply can lead to dire consequences, including threats and interrogations of their families in China. “To be very clear, what they said is that every Chinese international student at any time can be asked by the CCP to disclose their research information,” an individual told Fox News Digital. This coercion often involves weekly check-ins with Chinese ambassadors, where students are pressed to share details about cutting-edge research in fields like artificial intelligence and robotics. The CCP seeks not only public data but also internal lab reports, research methodologies, and even recorded conversations with professors.
A Culture of Fear
The Stanford Review highlights a pervasive atmosphere of fear surrounding these espionage concerns, which have “quietly persisted” for “years.” Some people contacted by the outlet were too terrified to speak openly. “One student who experienced espionage firsthand was too fearful to recount their story, even via encrypted messaging,” the report notes. “‘The risk is too high,’ they explained. ‘Transnational repression, $64 million in Chinese funding, and allegations of racial profiling have contributed to a pervasive culture of silence at Stanford and beyond.’”
The House Select Committee on China warned Stanford last year about the risks posed by Chinese influence in STEM research, a concern now amplified by the Stanford Review’s findings. The report’s authors, after interviewing dozens of individuals, concluded, “The CCP is orchestrating a widespread intelligence-gathering campaign at Stanford.” In stark terms, they declared, “In short, ‘there are Chinese spies at Stanford.’”
Voices of Alarm
Former California Congresswoman Michelle Steel, speaking to Fox News Digital, described the influx of hundreds of millions of dollars from China into top universities as “very dangerous.” She emphasized, “President Trump is totally right. China is the biggest threat to all other industries, but especially universities.”
Michael Sobolik, a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute, advocated for transparency as a countermeasure. “If Stanford is worried about foreign espionage and coercion on its campus – and it should be – then its leadership will need to call it out publicly,” he told Fox News Digital. “Sunlight is the best disinfectant.” Sobolik criticized the reluctance to confront the issue, noting, “Thus far, woke politics have deterred Stanford from speaking out. That’s insane, and it rebounds to Beijing’s benefit.”
Stanford’s Response
Stanford University issued a statement affirming its commitment to national security: Stanford “takes its commitment to national security with the utmost seriousness, and we are acutely aware of the threats posed by the Chinese Communist Party to all research universities.” The university emphasized its rigorous policies to protect research and its collaboration with federal law enforcement. It also noted that it is “looking into” the Stanford Review report and has engaged with authorities, while stressing the importance of distinguishing between CCP threats and the valued contributions of Chinese and Chinese-American students and faculty.
A Delicate Balance
Both Steel and the Stanford students emphasized to Fox News Digital the need to protect Chinese international students, who are often victims of CCP coercion. “We really have to protect these innocent students, innocent Chinese Americans, but at the same time we really have to vet those students coming in or anybody, even diplomats,” Steel stated.
The Chinese embassy in Washington, D.C., vehemently denied the allegations when speaking to Fox News Digital, calling the report “full of false information, delusional speculation, political lies and ideological prejudice.” Spokesperson Liu Pengyu argued that U.S.-China educational cooperation benefits both nations and urged the U.S. to “stop generalizing national security” and “stop slandering Chinese students.”
The Stanford Review’s revelations serve as a wake-up call, exposing the intricate and pervasive tactics employed by the CCP to infiltrate American academia. As universities grapple with balancing open academic exchange with national security, the experiences of students like “Anna” highlight the urgent need for vigilance, transparency, and robust protections to safeguard both research and the individuals caught in the crosshairs of international espionage.
Stay tuned to The Federalist Wire.
