As part of operation "Fox Hunt", Chinese authorities arrested at least 42 suspects&nbsp;for allegedly committing economic crimes in Shanghai.

A report in China's state-run Global Times said 20 alleged suspects were "captured" overseas and in other regions in a three-month campaign. The Chinese newspaper said at least 14 cases involved "crimes of contract fraud and illegal business operation".

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/explained-chinese-spy-ship-controversy-and-indias-espionage-concerns-507931">Also Read |&nbsp;Chinese 'spy ship' controversy and India's 'espionage' concerns</a>

The Chinese newspaper informed that 68 "hunting teams" have been sent overseas in batches from Shanghai over the past eight years and they have captured 868 alleged suspects for economic crimes from 47 countries. However, the report did not name the countries which were involved in the operation with the Chinese authorities.

What is operation "Fox Hunt"?

The controversial operation was launched in 2014 by Chinese authorities as part of the Skynet operation to capture international fugitives accused of financial crimes, including murderers and drug lords. However, reports claim it also involves whistleblowers and dissidents.

Watch:&nbsp;FCC revokes license for China Unicom over espionage fears

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Reports claim Chinese authorities have tracked several people in the US and allegedly carried out abductions in Vietnam and Australia. The FBI had said Chinese officials have used "proxies" while carrying out "pressure, leverage, threats against family" to garner results. There have been instances of China carrying out "Fox Hunt" operations in France and Canada, reports claim.

FBI chief Christopher Wray had told a US Congressional committee in April that the agency has over 2,000 China-related investigations underway with a huge number of economic espionage cases.

Shanghai's role&nbsp;in operation "Fox Hunt"

Global Times said Shanghai police have requested Interpol to issue Red Corner Notices against 170 suspects involved in economic crimes and have sought cooperation with police departments worldwide involving 500 cases.

The newspaper claimed in 2017 Shanghai police had "successfully extradited" fugitives linked to economic crimes in the United Arab Emirates in coordination with the Chinese embassy.

(With inputs from Agencies)

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As part of operation "Fox Hunt", Chinese authorities arrested at least 42 suspects for allegedly committing economic crimes in Shanghai. A report in China's state-run Global Times said 20 alleged suspects were "captured" overseas and in other regions in a three-month campaign.

As part of operation "Fox Hunt", Chinese authorities arrested at least 42 suspects for allegedly committing economic crimes in Shanghai. A report in China's state-run Global Times said 20 alleged suspects were "captured" overseas and in other regions in a three-month campaign. The Chinese newspaper said at least 14 cases involved "crimes of contract fraud and illegal business operation". Also Read | Chinese 'spy ship' controversy and India's 'espionage' concerns The Chinese newspaper informed that 68 "hunting teams" have been sent overseas in batches from Shanghai over the past eight years and they have captured 868 alleged suspects for economic crimes from 47 countries. However, the report did not name the countries which were involved in the operation with the Chinese authorities. What is operation "Fox Hunt"? The controversial operation was launched in 2014 by Chinese authorities as part of the Skynet operation to capture international fugitives accused of financial crimes, including murderers and drug lords. However, reports claim it also involves whistleblowers and dissidents. Watch: FCC revokes license for China Unicom over espionage fears Reports claim Chinese authorities have tracked several people in the US and allegedly carried out abductions in Vietnam and Australia. The FBI had said Chinese officials have used "proxies" while carrying out "pressure, leverage, threats against family" to garner results. There have been instances of China carrying out "Fox Hunt" operations in France and Canada, reports claim. FBI chief Christopher Wray had told a US Congressional committee in April that the agency has over 2,000 China-related investigations underway with a huge number of economic espionage cases. Shanghai's role in operation "Fox Hunt" Global Times said Shanghai police have requested Interpol to issue Red Corner Notices against 170 suspects involved in economic crimes and have sought cooperation with police departments worldwide involving 500 cases. The newspaper claimed in 2017 Shanghai police had "successfully extradited" fugitives linked to economic crimes in the United Arab Emirates in coordination with the Chinese embassy. (With inputs from Agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Shanghai police conduct operation 'Fox Hunt', arrest 42 financial crimes' suspects

Amid the row between the United States and China over internal security issues, the US Justice Department said that a Singaporean has pleaded guilty to using his political consultancy as a "front" &nbsp;to collect information for Chinese intelligence.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/people-in-us-consulate-in-chengdu-interfered-in-our-internal-affairs-china-315732">Also Read:&nbsp;People in US consulate in Chengdu interfered in our internal affairs, says&nbsp;China</a>

Assistant Attorney General John Demers said that Jun Wei Yeo "was using career networking sites and a false consulting firm to lure Americans who might be of interest to the Chinese government.

Watch:

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Jun Wei Yeo has filed a plea in a US court to one charge of operating illegally as a foreign agent.

In the plea, Yeo admitted to working between 2015 and 2019 for Chinese intelligence "to spot and assess Americans with access to valuable non-public information, including US military and government employees with high-level security clearances."

Meanwhile, a Chinese researcher who had taken refuge in China's San Francisco consulate to avoid visa fraud charges was arrested today.

Tang Juan allegedly had links to China's People's Liberation Army but hadn't mentioned it in her visa application. The FBI said it had found pictures of her in uniform with insignia for the PLA "civilian cadres" and found documents indicating she was a member of the Chinese Communist Party after searching her apartment in Davis, California.

Tang was one of the four Chinese researchers who was charged. The US Justice Department said that they were part of China's effort to "infiltrate" US institutions to gain scientific and technological knowledge.

The United States and China have been involved in a tit-for-tat battle over the closure of each other's consulates over national security issues. On Thursday, the United States accused Chinese authorities at the Houston consulate of&nbsp;"intellectual property" and national security threats. US authorities ordered the Chinese officials to vacate within 72 hours.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the Houston mission was a "hub of spying and intellectual property theft".

China hit back on Friday&nbsp;ordered the US consulate in Chengdu to close in retaliation. China's foreign ministry said the US staff "was engaged in activities outside of their capacity, interfered in China's internal affairs, and endangered China's security and interests"..

Amid the row between the United States and China over internal security issues, the US Justice Department said that a Singaporean has pleaded guilty to using his political consultancy as a "front" to collect information for Chinese intelligence.

Amid the row between the United States and China over internal security issues, the US Justice Department said that a Singaporean has pleaded guilty to using his political consultancy as a "front" to collect information for Chinese intelligence. Also Read: People in US consulate in Chengdu interfered in our internal affairs, says China Assistant Attorney General John Demers said that Jun Wei Yeo "was using career networking sites and a false consulting firm to lure Americans who might be of interest to the Chinese government. Watch: Jun Wei Yeo has filed a plea in a US court to one charge of operating illegally as a foreign agent. In the plea, Yeo admitted to working between 2015 and 2019 for Chinese intelligence "to spot and assess Americans with access to valuable non-public information, including US military and government employees with high-level security clearances." Meanwhile, a Chinese researcher who had taken refuge in China's San Francisco consulate to avoid visa fraud charges was arrested today. Tang Juan allegedly had links to China's People's Liberation Army but hadn't mentioned it in her visa application. The FBI said it had found pictures of her in uniform with insignia for the PLA "civilian cadres" and found documents indicating she was a member of the Chinese Communist Party after searching her apartment in Davis, California. Tang was one of the four Chinese researchers who was charged. The US Justice Department said that they were part of China's effort to "infiltrate" US institutions to gain scientific and technological knowledge. The United States and China have been involved in a tit-for-tat battle over the closure of each other's consulates over national security issues. On Thursday, the United States accused Chinese authorities at the Houston consulate of "intellectual property" and national security threats. US authorities ordered the Chinese officials to vacate within 72 hours. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the Houston mission was a "hub of spying and intellectual property theft". China hit back on Friday ordered the US consulate in Chengdu to close in retaliation. China's foreign ministry said the US staff "was engaged in activities outside of their capacity, interfered in China's internal affairs, and endangered China's security and interests"..

Singaporean pleads guilty in US court to working for Chinese intelligence

What's Fox Hunt Fox Hunt is an espionage operation kickstarted six years ago by Chinese President Xi Jinping. The covert operation was aimed at pursuing corrupt officials and business executives who had fled abroad.

What's Fox Hunt Fox Hunt is an espionage operation kickstarted six years ago by Chinese President Xi Jinping. The covert operation was aimed at pursuing corrupt officials and business executives who had fled abroad. Beijing has celebrated its claimed successes, publicising the return of hundreds of economic fugitives, and issuing wanted lists of those still at large. The Obama administration complained about the activities of undercover agents in 2015. Suppress dissent Sharing the details about the operation, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Christopher Wray on Tuesday said the operation’s principal aim now was to suppress dissent among the diaspora. He told the Hudson Institute in Washington: “China describes Fox Hunt as some kind of international anti-corruption campaign. It is not. Instead, Fox Hunt is a sweeping bid by Xi to target Chinese nationals who he sees as threats and who live outside of China, across the world. “We’re talking about political rivals, dissidents and critics seeking to expose China’s extensive human rights violations.” 'Return to China or commit suicide' The FBI director said: “Hundreds of these Fox Hunt victims that they target live right here in the United States, and many are American citizens or green cardholders. The Chinese government wants to force them to return to China, and China’s tactics to accomplish that are shocking. “For example, when it couldn’t locate one Fox Hunt target, the Chinese government sent an emissary to visit the target’s family here in the US. The message they said to pass on: the target had two options, returned to China promptly or commit suicide.” Coercive tactics Wray said that Fox Hunt operations, directed by China’s ministry of public security, were also underway in other countries, and the FBI had been cooperating with its partners to foil Chinese efforts at intimidation. He said Chinese nationals in the US were often coerced by thinly veiled threats against their families back in China. Asked about other coercive tactics used, he replied: “Use your imagination. You’re not going to be far off.” He appealed to anyone in the US who thought they were a Fox Hunt target to “please reach out to your local FBI field office”. Wray portrayed China as an aggressive rival with little or no regard for international or national laws. He said that nearly half the FBI’s 5,000 active counter-intelligence cases were China-related. 2020 US presidential election Although he did not say whether China-backed either Donald Trump or his presumptive Democratic rival, Joe Biden, he claimed China was pushing its preferences for the outcome of the 2020 presidential election. “China’s malign foreign influence campaign targets our policies, our positions, 24/7, 365 days a year,” Wray said. “So it’s not an election-specific threat; it’s really more of an all-year, all-the-time threat. But certainly, that has implications for elections and they certainly have preferences that go along with that.” The FBI director said that China was also involved in mass hacking, identity theft and intellectual property espionage, and there are 1,000 investigations into “China’s actual and attempted theft of technology” in all the bureau’s 56 field offices.

All you need to know about China's espionage programme 'Operation Fox Hunt'

American authorities have initiated an aggressive campaign to root out Chinese espionage operations in the US and have caught a group of Chinese government officials, business people and academics pursuing <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinese-communist-party-presents-central-threat-of-our-times-pompeo-277567">American State</a> secrets. There is reason to believe that the strength of this group is increasing rapidly as more people align themselves with its cause.

Public records show that in 2019, US authorities arrested and expelled two Chinese diplomats who claimed to have driven onto a military base in Virginia. Caught and jailed were <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinese-communist-party-presents-central-threat-of-our-times-pompeo-277567">CIA</a> and Defense Intelligence Agency officials due to espionage charges linking them to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinese-communist-party-presents-central-threat-of-our-times-pompeo-277567">China</a>.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-expels-japanese-journalist-in-military-espionage-row-sources-277045">Russia expels Japanese journalist in military espionage row</a>

William Barr, US Attorney General with FBI Director Christopher Wray and US Counter-Intelligence Chief William Evanina addressed a conference on the government's efforts to counter Chinese “economic malfeasance” involving espionage and the theft of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinese-communist-party-presents-central-threat-of-our-times-pompeo-277567">US</a> scientific and technological secrets.

Be it medical research or military secrets, China's efforts to steal unclassified American technology have long been thought to be extensive and aggressive. That US officials only launched a broad effort to stop alleged Chinese espionage in the United States in 2018 seems to contradict this notion.

73 per cent of the 137 publicly reported instances of Chinese-linked espionage against the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinese-communist-party-presents-central-threat-of-our-times-pompeo-277567">United States</a> took place in the last decade alone, as per reports from the Washington-based <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/report-reveals-an-undeclared-north-korean-missile-base-headquarters-191924">Center for Strategic and International Studies</a> (CSIS). The Chinese Embassy in Washington is yet to comment on these revelations.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinese-communist-party-presents-central-threat-of-our-times-pompeo-277567">Chinese Communist Party presents central threat of our times: Pompeo</a>

Citing data from the think tank, military and commercial technologies are the most common targets for theft, excluding cases of intellectual property litigation and attempts to smuggle munitions or controlled technologies. Out of the 180 investigations into misuse of National Institutes of Health funds, inappropriate sharing of confidential information and more, around 90 per cent of the cases are linked to China.

CSIS experts have postulated that a principal reason for <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinese-communist-party-presents-central-threat-of-our-times-pompeo-277567">China </a>to invest in such levels of espionage, including extensive hacking in cyberspace, roots from the nation's dependence on Western technology. As legal avenues remain closed, espionage remains a viable option.

Federal prosecutors in Boston announced three new criminal cases involving industrial spying or stealing, including charges against a Harvard professor in January alone.

Harvard's Charles Lieber is accused of lying to the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinese-communist-party-presents-central-threat-of-our-times-pompeo-277567">Pentagon </a>and NIH about his involvement in the Thousand Talents Plan - a Chinese government scheme that offers mainly Chinese scientists working overseas lavish financial incentives to bring their expertise and knowledge back to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinese-communist-party-presents-central-threat-of-our-times-pompeo-277567">China</a>. Another accusation levelled against the academic is his affiliation with the Wuhan University of Technology.

Court documents show that Leiber was a "principal investigator" working on at least six research projects funded by <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinese-communist-party-presents-central-threat-of-our-times-pompeo-277567">US </a>Defense Department agencies during the time he was signed up with the Chinese university.&nbsp;

There has been no comment from Leiber or his legal team as of yet.

American authorities have initiated an aggressive campaign to root out Chinese espionage operations in the US and have caught a group of Chinese government officials, business people and academics pursuing American State secrets.

American authorities have initiated an aggressive campaign to root out Chinese espionage operations in the US and have caught a group of Chinese government officials, business people and academics pursuing American State secrets. There is reason to believe that the strength of this group is increasing rapidly as more people align themselves with its cause. Public records show that in 2019, US authorities arrested and expelled two Chinese diplomats who claimed to have driven onto a military base in Virginia. Caught and jailed were CIA and Defense Intelligence Agency officials due to espionage charges linking them to China. Also read: Russia expels Japanese journalist in military espionage row William Barr, US Attorney General with FBI Director Christopher Wray and US Counter-Intelligence Chief William Evanina addressed a conference on the government's efforts to counter Chinese “economic malfeasance” involving espionage and the theft of US scientific and technological secrets. Be it medical research or military secrets, China's efforts to steal unclassified American technology have long been thought to be extensive and aggressive. That US officials only launched a broad effort to stop alleged Chinese espionage in the United States in 2018 seems to contradict this notion. 73 per cent of the 137 publicly reported instances of Chinese-linked espionage against the United States took place in the last decade alone, as per reports from the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). The Chinese Embassy in Washington is yet to comment on these revelations. Also read: Chinese Communist Party presents central threat of our times: Pompeo Citing data from the think tank, military and commercial technologies are the most common targets for theft, excluding cases of intellectual property litigation and attempts to smuggle munitions or controlled technologies. Out of the 180 investigations into misuse of National Institutes of Health funds, inappropriate sharing of confidential information and more, around 90 per cent of the cases are linked to China. CSIS experts have postulated that a principal reason for China to invest in such levels of espionage, including extensive hacking in cyberspace, roots from the nation's dependence on Western technology. As legal avenues remain closed, espionage remains a viable option. Federal prosecutors in Boston announced three new criminal cases involving industrial spying or stealing, including charges against a Harvard professor in January alone. Harvard's Charles Lieber is accused of lying to the Pentagon and NIH about his involvement in the Thousand Talents Plan - a Chinese government scheme that offers mainly Chinese scientists working overseas lavish financial incentives to bring their expertise and knowledge back to China. Another accusation levelled against the academic is his affiliation with the Wuhan University of Technology. Court documents show that Leiber was a "principal investigator" working on at least six research projects funded by US Defense Department agencies during the time he was signed up with the Chinese university. There has been no comment from Leiber or his legal team as of yet.

China's extensive espionage revealed: US only started thorough cleanup as of 2018