CIA Used Mandarin Videos to Recruit Chinese Spies, Ex-Director Says

Washington D.C. - Former CIA Director John Ratcliffe has detailed a strategy the agency used to recruit Chinese informants by leveraging Mandarin-language videos on the dark web. Speaking publicly, Ratcliffe explained that the CIA sought to tap into existing dissent within China to gather valuable intelligence. The approach involved creating content tailored to appeal to potential recruits and communicating through secure channels.

Ratcliffe emphasized his commitment to depoliticizing the CIA during his time as director, stating that the agency's focus should remain solely on protecting national security interests. He argued that politicization can undermine the integrity and effectiveness of intelligence gathering. The Mandarin video strategy was presented as an example of a targeted and effective approach to intelligence collection.

The disclosure comes amid increasing concerns about China's growing global influence and its intelligence activities. Experts say the U.S. faces a complex challenge in balancing the need for intelligence gathering with the potential for escalating tensions. The success of the CIA's Mandarin video strategy remains classified, but Ratcliffe's comments shed light on the ongoing efforts to understand and counter Chinese intelligence operations.