**Liu's case sheds light on increasing concerns over espionage in China and the government's crackdown on perceived treachery.**
**Ex-Chinese Engineer Sentenced to Death for Espionage Activities**
**Ex-Chinese Engineer Sentenced to Death for Espionage Activities**
**A former engineer faces the ultimate punishment for selling state secrets, amid China's tightening grip on national security.**
A former engineer at a prominent Chinese research institution has been sentenced to death for allegedly selling classified information to foreign intelligence agencies, as reported by Chinese authorities. The individual, known only by the surname Liu, is said to have organized a "sophisticated scheme" to leak sensitive data after leaving his position at the institute, according to an article from China's Ministry of State Security published on Wednesday.
The ministry did not disclose Liu's former employer or the name of the foreign spy agencies involved in the transaction. This case surfaces in a climate of heightened vigilance from the Chinese government against espionage and warnings that citizens may be manipulated by foreign entities to serve as spies.
"Those who resort to desperate measures will ultimately face dire consequences," warned the ministry in the same article. Liu allegedly felt wronged by his former employer and decided to hoard classified materials before his resignation, planning to use them for blackmail and revenge.
After taking a position at an investment firm, Liu encountered financial setbacks that escalated his debts, prompting him to seek contact with a foreign intelligence agency, which acquired the confidential information at a "minimal cost." Following the transaction, this agency cut ties with him, leading Liu to attempt selling the information abroad. Over the course of six months, he reportedly traveled to multiple countries, significantly compromising national security.
Upon his arrest, Liu admitted to his actions and has since been stripped of all political rights indefinitely. Alarmed by rising threats of espionage, Beijing has continuously tightened its stance on internal security. Last November, another individual was executed for espionage-related offenses involving a USB drive, while Australian writer Yang Hengjun remains in custody under similar charges despite calls for his release from Australia.
Global concerns over espionage and influence operations attributed to China are rising, with several countries intensifying scrutiny and arrests of Chinese nationals suspected of spying.
