In a shocking revelation, China's state security ministry announced on Monday that it is investigating a Chinese national accused of spying for the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). The 39-year-old Chinese national, whose surname is Hao, was allegedly working as a cadre at a ministry and went to Japan for studies, where the recruitment took place.

The ministry did not disclose Hao's gender. This announcement comes on the heels of another recent case, where the ministry uncovered another Chinese national suspected of spying for the CIA after being recruited in Italy. Despite these revelations, both the US embassies in Beijing and Tokyo have remained silent on the matter.

According to the ministry's statement, Hao became acquainted with a US embassy official named Ted while sorting out a visa application. Ted reportedly invited Hao to dinners and offered gifts, even assisting with a paper that Ted promised to pay for. During this time, Ted introduced Hao to a colleague named Li Jun.

The ministry claims that Li, who was based in Tokyo and identified as a CIA personnel, instigated Hao into rebelling and convinced him to return to China to work for a core and critical unit. Allegedly, Hao signed an espionage agreement, agreeing to undergo assessment and training provided by the United States.

Upon returning to China, he worked in a national department as required by the CIA, while collecting US pay and providing the CIA with intelligence. These developments further strain the already tense relations between the United States and China, which have faced issues such as national security, espionage, and cyberattacks.

However, it is worth noting that China has repeatedly denied such allegations, accusing the US of baseless claims. In response to the escalating situation, China has urged its citizens to actively participate in counter-espionage work. The country expanded its anti-spying law in July, a move that has raised concerns in the United States.

As the investigation into this espionage case unfolds, it remains to be seen how the US and China will navigate these allegations and what impact it might have on their strained relationship.