Retired FBI agent James Gaylord warns that China has expanded its espionage and influence operations in California, a particularly attractive target because of its wealth, population, diversity and influence.

The state is also a major technology hub, bringing together advanced companies, research universities, scientists and entrepreneurs in fields such as artificial intelligence, aerospace and defense that Beijing seeks to develop and lead.

William Hannas says China’s technology acquisition has evolved since the 1950s, from obtaining military components to pursuing manufacturing expertise, commercial technologies, scientific knowledge and the ability to innovate.

Experts describe a broad approach that includes recruiting insiders, cyberattacks, academic partnerships, talent programs, investments, social-media outreach and efforts to shape politics and spread propaganda; Gaylord calls it a “shotgun” strategy that draws on many potential sources.

The article says China seeks American military and medical technology through university research, including students expected to return with data, and by placing trained agents in U.S. companies.

One prominent case involved Chi Mak, a California engineer at defense contractor Power Paragon who passed sensitive naval technologies, including submarine propulsion and combat-system information, to China; he was sentenced in 2008 to more than 24 years in prison.

Mak recruited aerospace engineer Dongfan “Greg” Chung, who passed sensitive military and civilian technology information to China.

Chung also sent classified space-shuttle documents to China and retained more than 250,000 pages of sensitive material; he was convicted in 2009 and sentenced in 2010 to nearly 16 years in prison.

Later cases cited include former USC professor Hao Zhang, sentenced in 2020 for conspiring to steal smartphone-signal technology; former sailor Wenheng Zhao, sentenced in 2024 for sharing military information; and Jinchao Wei, sentenced in January to more than 16 years for espionage involving bribes and Navy materials.

The article describes romantic and sexual relationships as another way to seek access or information, citing Katrina Leung, accused of acting as a Chinese double agent while involved with two FBI China counterintelligence supervisors, and Christine Fang, with whom former U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell told investigators in 2015 he had sex several times.

It also alleges that China seeks political influence through covert campaign and social-movement funding and by placing people in politicians’ offices, citing Dianne Feinstein’s aide, Eric Swalwell and Arcadia Mayor Eileen Wang.

Gaylord says Chinese authorities use threats against relatives in China, blackmail and overseas “police stations” to pressure or intimidate people into cooperating.