WSJ Report: Chinese Nationals Have Accessed Bases

September 5, 2023

“Chinese nationals, sometimes posing as tourists, have accessed military bases and other sensitive sites in the U.S. as many as 100 times in recent years, according to U.S. officials, who describe the incidents as a potential espionage threat,” the Wall Street Journal wrote in a weekend report.

DOD, the FBI and other agencies held a review last year to try to limit the “gate crasher” incidents, the story said. Officials said the individuals are likely tasked with testing security at U.S. federal sites and reporting back to the Chinese government.

Rep. Jason Crow (D-Colo.) said Congress may look into it and whether cases are falling through the cracks because most trespassing laws are state and local.

“We need to work closely with our state and local partners to train them and equip them,” Crow said. “Right now, they don’t know how to deal with it.”

Military.com also has more on the report.

Air Force photo by Senior Airman Lauren Cobin

September 5, 2023

Recent News

What the New Washington Means for Defense Communities

What the New Washington Means for Defense Communities

After organizational sessions Friday, Congress meets today to certify the election of President-elect Donald Trump and Vice President-elect J.D. Vance, who will take office Jan. 20. We talked with John Ferrari of the American Enterprise Institute about what defense...

Base Access Gets Tighter After Incidents in NOLA, Vegas

Base Access Gets Tighter After Incidents in NOLA, Vegas

U.S. Northern Command suspended the Trusted Traveler Program after last week’s security incidents in New Orleans and Las Vegas, as Task & Purpose reported. “This is a prudent measure to ensure the safety and security of our installations and personnel,” NORTHCOM...

Shutdown Hours Away as House GOP Rejects Its Spending Plan Backup

Shutdown Hours Away as House GOP Rejects Its Spending Plan Backup

Federal government spending is set to expire just after midnight if Congress can’t reach a last-minute deal today, which would lead to a partial government shutdown. What’s Happened So Far House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) abandoned a bipartisan, three-month...

In Our Communities

In Our Communities

RFP: MIRR Consultancy in South Dakota The city of Box Elder, South Dakota is searching for a “firm to lead a joint community/military assessment of shared vulnerabilities and risks associated with critical resources beyond military installation boundaries,” according...

Snap of the Week

Snap of the Week

Sailors prepare a Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet for flight operations aboard the USS Carl Vinson in the Philippine Sea Dec. 15. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Isaiah B. Goessl

PAST STORIES