US Soldiers Arrested by FBI, Accused of 'Betraying' Country to China

The FBI arrested two active-duty U.S. Army soldiers and one former soldier for allegedly gathering sensitive military information that was then sold to China, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Oregon announced on Thursday.

Newsweek contacted the Department of Defense press office for comment on Friday via email outside of regular office hours.

Why It Matters

Tensions between the United States and China, its main strategic rival, have surged in recent years over a plethora of issues including trade, human rights and the sovereignty of Taiwan and the South China Sea.

On Tuesday, after President Donald Trump imposed an additional 10 percent tariff on Chinese products, the Chinese foreign ministry warned it is ready for "a tariff war, a trade war, or any other type of war" with the U.S.

What To Know

Jian Zhao and Li Tian, active-duty soldiers stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, and Ruoyu Duan, a former soldier, were on Thursday indicted by federal grand juries in the District of Oregon and the Western District of Washington, according to the announcement.

Jian and Tian, who were both based out of Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington state, were charged with conspiracy to commit bribery and theft of government property. Zhao is facing the same charges, along with an additional charge of conspiring to obtain and transmit national defense information to an individual who did not have the necessary authorization to access it.

According to the Oregon indictment, between around November 2021 and December 2024, Duan and Tian "along with others, known and unknown to the grand jury" plotted to "gather sensitive military information related to the United States Army's operational capabilities, including technical manuals and other sensitive information."

Tian allegedly sent these materials, including information concerning U.S. weapon systems and armored vehicles such as the Bradley, to Duan in exchange for money.

The Western District of Washington indictment said that between about July 2024 and the time of his arrest, Zhao, a U.S. Army supply sergeant, "conspired with others known and unknown to the grand jury to obtain and transmit national defense information to individuals based in China."

Zhao is accused of sending classified hard drives, including those marked as "SECRET" and "TOP SECRET," to individuals in China in exchange for payment of $10,000.

The indictment alleges he also conspired to sell an encryption computer stolen from the U.S. military, information about the American High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) and data about U.S. military readiness for conflict with China to individuals in that country.

The investigation was primarily conducted by the FBI Portland and Seattle Field Offices and the U.S. Army Counterintelligence Command, along with assistance from a number of other agencies.

What People Are Saying

In a statement, Attorney General Pamela J. Bondi said: "The defendants arrested today are accused of betraying our country, actively working to weaken America's defense capabilities and empowering our adversaries in China. They will face swift, severe, and comprehensive justice."

FBI Director Kash Patel commented: "While bribery and corruption have thrived under China's Communist Party, this behavior cannot be tolerated with our service members who are entrusted with sensitive military information, including national defense information."

Brigadier General Rhett R. Cox, the commanding general from the Army Counterintelligence Command, said: "These arrests underscore the persistent and increasing foreign intelligence threat facing our Army and nation.

"Along with the Department of Justice and FBI, Army Counterintelligence Command will continue to work tirelessly to hold those accountable who irresponsibly and selfishly abandon the Army values and choose personal gain over duty to our nation. We remind all members of the Army team to increase their vigilance and protect our Army by reporting suspicious activity."

W. Mike Herrington, special agent in charge of the FBI's Seattle Field Office, stated: "It is unconscionable that a person who wears the uniform of a U.S. Army soldier would betray our country and the trust of his fellow soldiers.

"These arrests should send a message to would-be spies that we and our partners have the will and the ability to find you, track you down, and hold you to account. Protecting the nation's secrets, especially those necessary to preserve our military advantage and protect our troops, is one of the FBI's top priorities."

What Happens Next

A trial will take place to ascertain Zhao, Tian and Duan's innocence or guilt. The three suspects will have to decide whether to plead innocent or guilt to the various charges against them.