Top lawmaker issues chilling warning after five Chinese nationals charged with ‘covering up midnight spy mission’ on Michigan military base
American colleges must immediately end their cooperation with China, a lawmaker has warned, after a sinister “military base espionage plot” involving students came to light.
The leader of the House China Committee, Rep. John Moolenaar, R-Mich., has been warning for months about China’s growing activities in the U.S., and especially in Michigan.
On Wednesday, his warnings came to a head when the FBI announced charges against five Chinese University of Michigan graduates who were discovered on camera at a military base during a live-fire exercise with U.S. and Taiwanese troops.
Even more surprising is that the graduates, who were arrested in August 2023 but have just been charged, have not been taken into FBI custody.
In fact, the FBI’s filing Tuesday does not indicate where the men are or whether authorities know where to find them.
Now Moolenaar is issuing a stunning warning that American colleges must immediately “halt” their joint efforts with Chinese universities.
The FBI has announced charges against five Chinese University of Michigan graduates who were discovered on camera at a military base during a live-fire exercise with U.S. and Taiwanese forces
“All our country’s universities should close their joint institutes with Chinese universities and implement stricter guardrails for emerging technological research,” he wrote in a statement to DailyMail.com.
“American universities must recognize that they are a target for espionage and must protect the critical taxpayer-funded research they conduct.”
The Chinese men were found at Camp Grayling – a nearly 150,000-acre complex used by the Michigan Army National Guard – using cameras near classified military communications equipment and vehicles during Northern Strike, one of the largest training exercises conducted in the USA are held.
They all recently graduated from the University of Michigan through a partnership program between the school and Shanghai Jiao Tong University in Shanghai, China.
“This case shows once again that CCP espionage can take place anywhere in America, and we must be vigilant,” Moolenaar warned.
In the lawsuit filed by the FBI, the agency revealed that there have been multiple instances of Chinese students photographing critical U.S. defense sites.
An officer gives the battalion safety briefing before Marines fire AT-4 rockets and M320 grenade launchers at a firing range during Northern Strike 23 at Camp Grayling, Michigan on August 7, 2023
All of the men charged had attended the University of Michigan
Operators from the 20th Special Forces Group conduct an air assault mission during a training exercise near Chester Township, Michigan, on August 6, 2022. The mission was part of Northern Strike, an annual multinational joint training event headquartered at Camp Grayling Joint Maneuver Training. Center in Michigan
Two Chinese nationals who also studied at the University of Michigan were sentenced to a year in prison in 2020 for similarly trespassing and photographing a military compound in Florida.
According to Moolenaar, Camp Grayling is of particular importance to the CCP.
He warned that Chinese battery manufacturer Gotion is bringing a huge factory to an area about 100 miles (160 kilometers) from the camp.
“The CCP clearly has an interest in Camp Grayling, and this is further evidence that it would be a mistake for Michigan leaders to allow Gotion to build in our state,” his statement continued.
“State funding for Gotion’s plan to bring Chinese nationals to Mecosta County is an open invitation to further spy on Camp Grayling.”
“For national security reasons, Governor Whitmer and the Legislature must immediately revoke state funding for Gotion,” he said.
Chinese President Xi Jinping during a meeting in Beijing on September 20
Republican Rep. John Moolenaar of Michigan is chairman of the House Select Committee on the CCP. He has warned that Chinese partnerships with American universities pose a security risk
Camp Grayling has many areas where American and allied soldiers train for combat
Gotion sued Green Charter Township in Michigan earlier this year over its attempt to withdraw from its multibillion-dollar deal with the company.
The issue revolves around an agreement between Gotion and the previous municipal council, which was rejected by residents in a recall election in November 2023 due to their support of the project.
Residents of Green Charter Township, Michigan voted Tuesday to oust the entire local government after the city council approved a Chinese-affiliated electric battery factory
Gotion has now accused the new board, which opposes the project on national security and environmental grounds, of failing to honor a contract that provides access to crucial water supplies.
The lawsuit marks a dramatic escalation in a battle that has led to fierce debate over perceived Chinese infiltration of American society.
A judge ruled in August that Gotion can continue developing its properties in the area while the lawsuit moves through the courts, in a blow to the board.