Chinese spy caught in ‘rare’ sting after ‘plot to steal US trade secrets’

US federal agents lured a Chinese government spy to Belgium, where authorities transferred him to the US for prosecution on economic espionage charges. Photo: AP

 

Yanjun Xu, a senior officer with China’s Ministry of State Security, is accused of seeking to steal trade secrets from leading defence aviation firms, top Justice Department officials said

US agents have arrested a top Beijing intelligence official for allegedly attempting to steal trade secrets from GE Aviation and other US aerospace companies after luring the suspect to Belgium in what the US Justice Department called “an unprecedented extradition”.

Xu Yanjun, who also uses the names Qu Hui and Zhang Hui, was extradited to the US on Tuesday with assistance from Belgian authorities for seeking “to steal trade secrets and other sensitive information from an American company that leads the way in aerospace”, Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers said in a Justice Department announcement on Wednesday.

Rare-Earth Market

Rare earths… A topic that was explored here years ago when it realized then the implications today’s press are just starting to wake up to.

See also:

US defense industry over-reliant on rare earth from China

Rare Earths Rouse Pentagon Fears

China warns of backlash if U.S. presses rare-earths case with WTO

 

 

By monopolizing the mining of rare-earth metals, China could dictate the future of high-tech.

…

Beyond high-tech gadgets, rare earths play a critical role in national defense, enabling radar systems and guided missiles. Ironically, they also power clean-energy technologies, such as wind turbines and electric cars. This year, global consumption is expected to be about 155,000 tons, far more than the 45,000 tons used 25 years ago. Demand will only grow — likely at an accelerated pace — as the world tries to rein in climate change.

An SOS for GPS: Act Now, Or the Entire System Risks Collapse

I’d like to begin this new column with the dire warning that the sky is falling, and not just because this is my first official regular column I’m writing for Nextgov. Yes, I no longer have “guest” as part of my title and will now be able to bring you what is hopefully informative and entertaining columns on a regular basis right here at the world’s best government-focused technology magazine.

For those of you who don’t know me all that well yet, my background is deep in technology, especially the really geeky stuff that can sometimes make your (and my) head spin. I’ve been fortunate enough to work for some impressive publications in a review capacity over the past twenty years, and gotten my hands on a lot of interesting products and services aimed at both the federal government and the private sector.

PLA radar technology could nullify US stealth jets, claims Global Times

Developments in China’s anti-stealth technology could soon render the stealth capabilities of America’s F-22 fighter jets and Europe’s Neuron unmanned combat air vehicles obsolete, claims Huanqiu, the website of China’s nationalistic Global Times tabloid.

On display at the 9th China International Defence Electronics Exhibition in Beijing in May was China’s DWLOO2 passive radar, which is said to have a range of 500 kilometers and can cover the entire air space with zero “blind spots.” The radar will be mainly be used for air defense and coastal surveillance in complex electromagnetic environments, with the ability to detect, locate and track air, sea, and ground radiation within its coverage, the report said.

Report: IAF strike in Syria hit Iranian Guards

It’s likely that the Russians being among the hit at the facility tells us why a Russian MIG-31 flew towards Israel and over the Sinai.

Iraqi daily Azzaman quoted a Western diplomatic source as saying Thursday that the alleged Israeli attack on Syria reported on Wednesday caused heavy casualties among special Iranian Guards stationed at the Syrian facility. The source also said that the attack took place more than 48 hours before it was reported, eventually being leaked by Israel.

Russia develops air defense lasers

According to CEO of Russia’s Almaz-Antei advanced arms makers Dr Vladislav Menshikov, his company continues work, started decades ago in the Soviet Union, to develop powerful airborne lasers capable of shooting down hostile aircraft and incoming missiles. Sources say a weapon of this kind can destroy targets travelling at altitudes of up to 40 kilometers.

Full article: Russia develops air defense lasers (Defence Talk)