In a case that has sent shockwaves through China’s national security circles, a former assistant defense engineer, identified as Liu, has been sentenced to death for leaking classified intelligence on China’s J-35A fifth-generation stealth fighter to foreign intelligence agencies.
The Ministry of State Security (MSS) confirmed the espionage case in a rare and forceful statement, exposing the extent of China’s internal security vulnerabilities and the potential damage to its military advancements.
Liu’s case had fueled widespread speculation across Chinese social media, with many questioning the nature of the security breach and its implications for China’s next-generation fighter programs.
“The case, long the subject of speculation on Chinese social media, has now been officially confirmed by the Ministry of State Security (MSS), which detailed Liu’s espionage activities and the extent of the security breach,” reported state-run Global Times.
According to sources, Liu was a former assistant engineer at a leading defense research institute specializing in military aviation technology. MSS sources revealed that Liu became disgruntled after being passed over for promotion, prompting him to illegally copy, store, and ultimately sell classified defense-related documents.
Following his resignation, Liu briefly worked for an investment firm, but mounting financial losses from risky stock speculation and unauthorized credit withdrawals drove him to seek alternative means of income—ultimately leading him to trade state secrets for money, according to Global Times.
Chinese security officials say Liu engaged in highly methodical intelligence operations, using sophisticated tactics to avoid detection:
- Fragmenting and cataloging sensitive defense documents before transmission.
- Setting up multiple online accounts to receive covert payments.
- Utilizing anonymous IC and SIM cards, regularly changing communication methods to evade surveillance.
- Operating under multiple aliases, using prearranged codes for encrypted exchanges.
Over a six-month period, Liu traveled to multiple countries, allegedly leaking highly sensitive Chinese defense intelligence to foreign operatives. However, his handlers—foreign intelligence agents—cut ties with him after acquiring crucial data at a low cost, a move that left Liu vulnerable and exposed.
Rather than abandoning his operations, Liu refined his espionage methods and attempted to re-establish contact with foreign intelligence agencies. His actions raised red flags within China’s national security apparatus, triggering intensive surveillance that led to his eventual arrest in a covert counterintelligence operation.
According to MSS, Liu was convicted of espionage and the illegal transfer of state secrets. The court handed down the ultimate penalty—execution, along with lifelong deprivation of political rights, underscoring the gravity of the offense.
Beijing has made it clear that national security remains an uncompromising priority, warning that espionage and unauthorized intelligence leaks will face the harshest possible legal repercussions.
At Airshow China 2024 in Zhuhai, Beijing unveiled the first official images of the J-35A, marking a pivotal step in China’s ambition to dominate next-generation aerial warfare. The J-35A is China’s second fifth-generation stealth fighter, following the J-20 Mighty Dragon, which remains a non-export platform due to its highly classified avionics and radar-evading technology.
J-35A: A New Era for Chinese Airpower
With the J-35A’s emergence, China joins the United States as the only nations to field two distinct fifth-generation fighter jets:
- China: J-35A & J-20 Mighty Dragon
- United States: F-35 Lightning II & F-22 Raptor
This technological milestone signals China’s growing aerospace capabilities and its ambition to rival Western air dominance, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region.
Developed by Shenyang Aircraft Corporation, the J-35A is expected to play a dual role:
- A land-based variant for the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF).
- A carrier-capable version optimized for catapult-assisted takeoff, strengthening the People’s Liberation Army Naval Air Force (PLANAF).
J-35A
While official technical specifications remain closely guarded, key insights suggest:
- Stealth-Optimized Design: Features a reduced radar cross-section (RCS) and internal weapons bays to enhance survivability in contested airspace.
- Next-Gen Avionics: Equipped with advanced sensor fusion and electronic warfare suites, improving situational awareness and targeting accuracy.
- Enhanced Speed and Maneuverability: Capable of reaching speeds up to Mach 2.0, surpassing the F-35’s Mach 1.6, with dual engines providing superior thrust and agility.
The J-35A’s development underscores China’s growing maritime air power, particularly as Beijing strengthens its aircraft carrier capabilities. The jet is expected to serve aboard China’s latest Type 003 carrier, the Fujian, a state-of-the-art vessel featuring electromagnetic catapult launch systems (EMALS)—a technology comparable to the U.S. Navy’s Ford-class carriers.
China’s push for fifth-generation carrier-borne capabilities directly challenges the U.S. military’s long-standing air superiority in the Pacific. As tensions rise in the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait, the J-35A is poised to play a decisive role in Beijing’s regional airpower projection strategy.
With the United States and its allies increasing military presence in the Indo-Pacific, including the deployment of F-35s across Japan, South Korea, and Australia, China’s J-35A signals a direct counterbalance to U.S. air operations in the region.
Liu’s espionage case serves as a stark reminder of the high-stakes nature of military intelligence leaks. His swift trial and execution highlight China’s zero-tolerance approach to national security threats, particularly as Beijing works to protect its most sensitive military projects from foreign intelligence infiltration.
Meanwhile, the J-35A’s unveiling at Airshow China 2024 cements China’s growing role as a global aerospace power, with implications for future aerial conflicts and strategic power shifts.
As China expands its stealth fighter fleet, the battle for air dominance between Beijing and Washington will continue to intensify in the years ahead. The Indo-Pacific region is now a critical flashpoint, where fifth-generation fighter technology will shape the future of air combat—and determine the balance of power for decades to come.
