Federal authorities have charged five University of Michigan graduates, all Chinese nationals, for allegedly taking unauthorized photographs of a U.S. military base and lying to investigators. The charges, announced in early October, come over a year after the individuals were found near Camp Grayling, a Michigan National Guard training facility, during a joint exercise with U.S. and Taiwanese military personnel in August 2023. The defendants have been identified as Zhekai Xu, Renxiang Guan, Haoming Zhu, Jingzhe Tao, and Yi Liang.
Camp Grayling, located over 200 miles from the University of Michigan’s Ann Arbor campus, is a key training site for U.S. military forces, including National Guard units. During the summer of 2023, it hosted a significant training event involving around 7,000 military personnel, including Taiwanese soldiers. The presence of the Taiwanese military added an element of international sensitivity to the exercise, given China's stance on Taiwan's sovereignty.
.@RepLaHood shares a chilling story about five Chinese nationals who were found spying on a military base near Michigan’s Gotion plant.
Having CCP-tied companies like Gotion near our critical infrastructure and military bases puts our national security at risk. pic.twitter.com/6lXp57XWj4
— State Armor (@StateArmor) October 7, 2024
The incident unfolded when a U.S. sergeant major confronted the five individuals near military vehicles and sensitive equipment. When questioned, the group reportedly claimed to be members of the Chinese media and quickly left the area. However, local law enforcement later located the group at a nearby Super 8 motel, which they had booked before the incident. Evidence of military photos was discovered on an external hard drive during subsequent searches, contradicting the group's initial claims.
According to the FBI's criminal complaint, the five former students tried to erase incriminating photos and communications to avoid suspicion, discussing plans to delete data via WeChat. The students later provided conflicting accounts when interviewed by investigators, with some even denying their presence at Camp Grayling.
Five Chinese nationals were charged with covering up a midnight visit to spy on the Michigan National Guard near a military base.
Congress should pass my GATE CRASHERS Act to strengthen existing punishments for the Chinese nationals and other foreigners spying on our military…
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) October 8, 2024
Although the defendants were not immediately charged for their actions in August 2023, the investigation continued into 2024. Federal authorities have now accused them of conspiracy, making false statements, and destroying records to hinder the federal inquiry. The students were part of a joint educational program between the University of Michigan and Shanghai Jiao Tong University, highlighting concerns over potential Chinese government ties.
This case has raised alarms about Chinese espionage activities in the United States, especially in light of broader national security concerns involving Chinese nationals accessing sensitive areas.
The case drew the attention of Michigan Congressman John Moolenar, who emphasized the need for vigilance against espionage and called for halting a controversial Chinese-linked battery plant project planned near Camp Grayling. He argued that the charges against the students are a stark reminder of the risks posed by allowing Chinese companies, potentially tied to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), to operate near U.S. military sites.
The five graduates, who had all left the U.S. by the time the charges were filed, are not currently in custody. Federal authorities have issued warrants for their arrest should they re-enter the United States. This case is part of a larger pattern of increased scrutiny of Chinese nationals on U.S. soil amid rising tensions between the two countries, particularly regarding military and technological espionage.
Charge them all with treason and execute them. Said and done. They would not be able to do it again.