The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has released a new Chinese-language video aimed at encouraging members of China’s military to cooperate secretly with the United States. The video is part of a renewed public campaign by the US intelligence agency to recruit sources inside China, particularly within the military.
The video was published on Thursday on YouTube and other social media platforms. It comes nine months after the CIA released its first Chinese-language recruitment videos. Those earlier videos were aimed mainly at officials linked to China’s ruling party and included guidance on how to contact the agency securely.
According to the CIA, the earlier videos reached millions of viewers and led to new sources. A third video released in January this year, which provided updated contact information, has already been watched tens of millions of times.
Video Focuses on Discontent and Military Purges
The latest video, titled “Save the Future,” is narrated in Mandarin and is presented as the story of a fictional mid-level military officer. The narrator describes deep frustration with corruption and repeated political purges inside China’s armed forces.
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In the video, the narrator claims that senior leaders are more focused on protecting their own wealth than serving the country. He says that leaders built their careers on dishonesty and that capable officers are removed if they are seen as threats. The message suggests that loyalty and competence no longer guarantee safety or stability.
The video places strong emphasis on personal fear and family concerns. The fictional officer explains that worry about his child’s future pushed him to seek change, reflecting anxiety felt by many officers who may feel powerless in the current environment.
The release of the video comes shortly after China confirmed the removal of several senior military figures. President Xi Jinping recently carried out further purges within the military leadership.
China revealed that Zhang Youxia, a top uniformed officer and vice chairman of the Central Military Commission, had been removed, along with Liu Zhenli, another senior commission member. These removals followed dozens of similar actions against senior officers in recent years.
The scale of these purges has been described as the most serious shake-up of China’s military leadership since the time of Mao Zedong. While the CIA has not officially linked the video to these events, a US intelligence official suggested the similarities were striking.
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CIA Recruitment Efforts and Intelligence Background
CIA Director John Ratcliffe said that last year’s Mandarin-language videos reached many Chinese citizens who were searching for ways to improve their lives and change their country for the better. He stated that the agency would continue offering Chinese officials and citizens opportunities to work toward what he described as a brighter future.
Although China blocks access to YouTube and other Western social media platforms, many users inside the country still access them using virtual private networks. These tools allow viewers to bypass censorship controls and watch overseas content.
The videos are part of a broader effort by the CIA to rebuild its intelligence network in China. About 15 years ago, China’s main intelligence body, the Ministry of State Security, dismantled much of the CIA’s spy network inside the country.
At that time, dozens of Chinese nationals accused of spying were arrested, imprisoned, or executed. Authorities were able to uncover the network after discovering weaknesses in the CIA’s covert communication system.
Since then, China has intensified counter-espionage efforts. Citizens have been urged to report suspicious activity, and public campaigns have warned about foreign intelligence threats.
The new video will also be shared on platforms such as X, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, expanding its reach among Chinese-speaking audiences worldwide.