Two US Navy sailors in California have been arrested on charges of providing sensitive military information to China.
Jinchao Wei, also known as Patrick, is a US citizen. He is alleged to have conspired to channel national defense information to Chinese agents.
The conspiracy is believed to have started in 2022, when he served aboard the USS Essex which is an amphibious assault ship.
In February of that year, he began communicating with Chinese intelligence officials seeking information about the Essex and other ships in the US Navy.
In addition, Wei is also accused of sharing some photos of military equipment to intelligence officers.
While Wenheng Zhao, or Thomas, is accused of receiving payments or bribes for sharing sensitive military information accessed through US security clearances.
Among the information sent were plans for large-scale military exercises in the Indo-Pacific region and plans for a base in Japan, for which he received about $14,866 for the intelligence.
If convicted, Jinchao Wei faces up to 20 years in prison, while Zhao carries a maximum sentence of 20 years.
The indictment of the two individuals comes amid heightened tensions between the US and China, with both sides accusing the other of being spies.
