The GM arrested a Chinese intelligence officer accused of economic espionage

Xu was one of the many officials in the Department of State Security who, as of 2013, would have identified aviation industry experts in at least three companies, including GE Aviation, based in Cincinnati, and would have invited them to China under the pretext of expressing themselves in universities for an exchange of ideas. , according to the complaint of the Ministry of Justice.

However, these presentations were solely in the interest of the Chinese government and often included highly technical discussions on the company's signature material design and manufacturing technology. According to the indictment, state security ministry officials worked to "protect and conceal the true nature of the information they were looking for" and paid for the travel expenses , housing and retribution of experts.

"In reality, Xu and his colleagues (from the Chinese Ministry of State Security) have sought to train experts to hand them trade secrets," Ben Glassman, South District Attorney General, told reporters. Ohio, United States.

"China has made it clear that it has a program in which it is seeking to acquire advanced technological information in this industry and in many others," he added.

Glassman pointed out that it was obvious that Chinese officials were using insider recruitment as well as online piracy to defend their interests, but that their perpetrators could be brought to justice when private companies and the federal government worked together. GE Aviation cooperated with the FBI throughout the investigation, Glassman said.

"Companies should see that Chinese officials are seeking to acquire their intellectual property, not only by hacking, but also by recruiting insiders," Glassman said. "Companies should also make sure to work with the federal law enforcement authorities, because in this case, theft attempts can be thwarted and foreign actors can be brought to justice for their actions."

Xu made her initial appearance Wednesday afternoon in federal court in Cincinnati, Glassman said. Xu was arrested in Belgium in April and extradited to the United States on Tuesday after losing his appeal. He risks up to 25 years of imprisonment.