Federal prosecutors in Brooklyn have charged two men with conspiring with the Chinese government and destroying evidence related to a scheme to collect sensitive data from American companies. The charges come amid heightened tensions between the US and China over technology, trade, and national security.
According to court documents, the two men, who are Chinese nationals, worked for a New York-based company that provided engineering and consulting services to US government agencies and private companies. Prosecutors allege that the men conspired with Chinese intelligence officials to steal sensitive technology and trade secrets from the companies they worked for.
The indictment alleges that the two men used their access to the companies’ computer systems to steal confidential data, including source code and design documents. They allegedly transferred the stolen data to Chinese servers and destroyed evidence to cover their tracks.
The charges against the men include conspiracy to commit economic espionage, conspiracy to commit theft of trade secrets, and conspiracy to commit computer fraud and abuse. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
The US government has been increasingly vocal about its concerns over China’s alleged theft of intellectual property and trade secrets. In recent years, the US has accused China of stealing technology and trade secrets from American companies in a bid to gain a competitive advantage.
The charges against the two men are part of a wider crackdown by the US government on Chinese economic espionage. In recent years, the US has charged several Chinese nationals with stealing trade secrets and technology from American companies.
The charges also come at a time when the US and China are engaged in a bitter trade war. The two countries have imposed tariffs on each other’s goods, and the US has taken steps to restrict Chinese investment in US technology companies.
The Chinese government has denied the allegations of economic espionage and has accused the US of using the charges to smear China’s reputation. In a statement, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the charges were “purely fabricated” and “motivated by a Cold War mentality.”
The charges against the two men are a reminder of the ongoing tensions between the US and China over technology and national security. The case is also a warning to US companies to be vigilant about protecting their intellectual property and trade secrets from foreign actors.
