• China warns of foreign spies using allure tactics.
• Li Si blackmailed after overseas nightclub visit.
• Warnings reveal leaders’ insecurity about perceived threats.

Ministry of State Security in China has issued a warning to its citizens about the potential dangers of falling prey to “exotic beauties” used by foreign spy agencies. The ministry shared a cautionary tale involving a Chinese man named Li Si, who reportedly became a victim of foreign espionage after visiting a nightclub during an overseas trip.

According to the ministry’s WeChat post titled, “Hunting for beauty? You may become the prey,” Li Si was enticed by a local tour guide to an adult entertainment venue, where he was encouraged to select several women for the night. The post went into graphic detail, explaining that Li Si, who works for a state-owned firm, was later blackmailed and coerced into joining a foreign intelligence organization.

The account revealed that after Li Si returned to China, he continued to be manipulated into providing classified information to the foreign intelligence group. The post emphasized the severe consequences of falling victim to such traps, stating that Li Si had become a puppet at the mercy of the foreign intelligence organization, causing “immeasurable harm to China’s national security.”

Analysts suggest that these warnings, coupled with recent publicized espionage cases, reflect a sense of insecurity among China’s leaders. Ian Chong, a non-resident fellow with Carnegie China, noted that the emphasis on honey traps might be indicative of a perceived threat from the outside world by the Chinese leadership.

This cautionary campaign by the Ministry of State Security has been ongoing, with frequent updates on its WeChat page. In addition to warnings about exotic beauty traps, the ministry has cautioned citizens against photographing military equipment and raised concerns about organizations recruiting aviation enthusiasts to transmit China’s flight data to other countries.

The recent case of Li Si serves as a stark example of the potential risks associated with espionage activities involving the exploitation of human weaknesses. As tensions persist in the realm of global intelligence, China’s authorities are intensifying efforts to educate and alert citizens about the tactics employed by foreign spy agencies.