The CIA has launched a provocative new video aimed at Chinese military officers, seeking to capitalize on domestic discord after Beijing’s recent purge of General Zhang Youxia, the vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission. The move marks a high-profile escalation in U.S.-China intelligence operations, as the agency works to rebuild its human intelligence network after China dismantled much of it between 2010 and 2012.
Released on February 12, the video depicts a disillusioned mid-level Chinese officer, warning viewers about the dangers of blind loyalty to senior military leaders. It is the latest in a series of CIA efforts to encourage potential informants within China, following a May 2025 campaign that targeted fictional members of the Communist Party and offered Chinese-language guidance on how to safely contact U.S. intelligence operatives.
CIA Director John Ratcliffe stated that the agency’s online efforts had reached millions of Chinese citizens and promised government officials “an opportunity to work towards a brighter future together.” According to a CIA official speaking anonymously, the agency is confident that its videos are penetrating China’s “Great Firewall” and reaching the intended audience, despite strict internet restrictions.
The timing of the release follows China’s announcement in January that Zhang Youxia, second-in-command under President Xi Jinping, was under investigation—a dramatic removal of a senior military leader not seen in decades. Observers note that the purge is part of a broader anti-corruption campaign that has targeted high-ranking officers across the People’s Liberation Army. The CIA’s video explicitly references these tensions, with the fictional officer in Mandarin stating, “Anyone with leadership qualities is bound to be subject to suspicion and ruthlessly eliminated. Their power is built on countless lies.”
The United States has significantly increased intelligence efforts on China in recent years, with American officials describing Beijing’s spy agencies as relentless in their attempts to recruit U.S. sources. China has publicly disclosed what it claims are U.S. spy rings in recent years, highlighting the risks of espionage for both sides. Analysts describe these moves as part of a growing U.S.-China rivalry in military, technological, and intelligence arenas, often framed as a new form of cold war.
The CIA’s latest campaign underscores the stakes involved in the intelligence battle between Washington and Beijing, as both nations seek to gain an advantage in the shadows while projecting strength on the world stage. The unfolding situation suggests that digital propaganda and targeted outreach may become central tools in the ongoing espionage struggle.
