• The CIA has launched a new Mandarin-language recruitment video aimed at Chinese military officers.
• The video depicts a fictional officer disillusioned with PLA leadership, seeking to contact the CIA.
• U.S. officials assert that the campaign serves as an invitation for concerned Chinese citizens to aid in intelligence efforts.
• This recruitment strategy draws condemnation from Beijing, which labels it a provocative attack.
• Previous CIA recruitment videos reportedly reached millions in China.

The CIA has released a new Mandarin-language recruitment video targeting disaffected military officers in China. In this fictional narrative, a mid-level People’s Liberation Army (PLA) officer grapples with feelings of disillusionment regarding corrupt leadership, ultimately deciding to reach out to the CIA. This new installment adds to an ongoing campaign described by CIA Director John Ratcliffe as vital in the agency's "generational competition" with Beijing, emphasizing that China represents the top intelligence priority for the U.S., according to CBS News.

The video showcases the military officer at home struggling with the ramifications of his leaders' actions, stating, "the only thing leaders are protecting is their own interest," which he believes is detrimental to his family and country. It culminates with him reaching out to the CIA for support, illustrating a conflict between personal values and political realities, as stressed by Le Monde and Al Jazeera.

This campaign has been met with sharp criticism from Beijing, with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs denouncing similar recruitment efforts as "naked political provocation" and accusing the U.S. of trying to lure Chinese personnel into acts of betrayal. The CIA's approach seeks to offer an avenue for Chinese citizens unsettled by their political environment to contribute towards change, as indicated by the agency's outreach strategy, which extends an appeal for information about high-ranking Chinese leaders and military affairs, according to Le Monde and Al Jazeera.