Four arrests linked to Chinese spy ring

The Washington Times ^ | 11/05/05 | Bill Gertz

[conservative in nyc]

Four persons arrested in Los Angeles are part of a Chinese intelligence-gathering ring, federal investigators said, and the suspects caused serious compromises for 15 years to major U.S. weapons systems, including submarines and warships.

U.S. intelligence and security officials said the case remains under investigation but that it could prove to be among the most damaging spy cases since the 1985 one of John A. Walker Jr., who passed Navy communication codes to Moscow for 22 years.

The Los Angeles spy ring has operated since 1990 and has funneled technology and military secrets to China in the form of documents and computer disks, officials close to the case said.

The ring was led by Chi Mak and his wife, Rebecca Laiwah Chiu, along with Mr. Chi's brother, Tai Wang Mak, and his wife, Fuk Heung Li, officials said.

Key compromises uncovered so far include sensitive data on Aegis battle management systems that are the core of U.S. Navy destroyers and cruisers.

China covertly obtained the Aegis technology and earlier this year deployed its first Aegis warship, code-named Magic Shield, intelligence officials have said.

The Chinese also obtained sensitive data on U.S. submarines, including classified details related to the new Virginia-class attack submarines.

Officials said based on a preliminary assessment, China now will be able to track U.S. submarines, a compromise that potentially could be devastating if the United States enters a conflict with China in defending Taiwan

[Wolfhound777]

Mr Chi and his wife, as american citizens, should be brought up on charges of treason and if convicted, they should be executed.

[conservative in nyc]

I doubt they'll be charged with treason. Very few spies have been.

They can (and should) be sentenced to death under the Espionage Act, if convicted. But I'm not holding my breath. At a minimum, as naturalized citizens who were spying on this country when they became citizens, they should lose their U.S. citizenship in addition to whatever other punishment they receive.

[Wolfhound777]

You are right about the few having been charged but the minimum in this case isn't going to cut it. The penalty should be severe for the irreparable harm they have caused and the lives of our troops that they have put in danger.

[csvset]

Go figure, China able to steal top secret military info. A few years ago there was a female Chinese spy that was banging a FBI agent. What happened to her?

[staytrue]

has funneled technology and military secrets to China in the form of documents and computer disks

This may be a silly question, but how else does one funnel military secrets, word of mouth ?

[Avenger]

You can bet there are many, many more like these people working in our defense industry. This is just the tip of the iceberg.

[staytrue]

What happened to her?

Perhaps the better question is what happened to him ? She was "doing her job", what was he doing ?

[staytrue]

The penalty should be severe

The penalty should be severe if and when they are found guilty. However, execution is not in the cards since we are not officially at war with China or anyone else except al queada.

[Wolfhound777]

Had you read my other post, conviction was part of the deal. Also, the two out of the four I was talking about are natrualized US citizens so death is on the table.

[csvset]

He retired from the FBI, she's had her case thrown out. She was a donor to the GOP as well. Hah, too funny. He was banging her for 20 years. She was also doing another FBI agent as well.

The FBI, Famous But Incompetent.

[FreedomPoster]

Ping.

[Petey139]

Was their any more accomplices? I doubt the chicoms are that stupid. Is another chinese agent on the loose with the info and we don't know about it. Think about it, Why fly to China to hand the secrets when he could have easily handed it to a Chinese Agent (Which are probably infested in the US) based in the US who would funnel it thru the established network. Did they email it thru a secret line?

[anymouse]

Just in time for the debate on increasing the number of H1-B work visas. (/sarcasm)

[conservative in nyc]

Under the Espionage Act, a spy can face death if the jury finds that the espionage "directly concerned" a "major weapons system" or "major element of defense strategy". The question would be whether the Aegis battle management system fits that description.

I doubt the prosecutor will even seek death, though.

[IndyInVa]

You don't suppose the Clintons had anything to do with this, do you? Nah..........

[Seizure]

Like I said on my poorly linked post...

Perhaps we should grant them "Most Favored Nation" trade status again while encouraging major corporations to relocate their operations there.

P.S. Go Wal-Mart!!!

[kellynla]

BTTT

[Prince Charles]

U.S. intelligence and security officials said the case remains under investigation but that it could prove to be among the most damaging spy cases since the 1985 one of John A. Walker Jr., who passed Navy communication codes to Moscow for 22 years.

Make the Chicoms feel pain for doing this.

[bmwcyle]

How many visits to thw White House did they make between 1992 to 2000?

[Amish with an attitude]

With the Clinton's out of office the pipline shut down and the Chinese had to resort to good old fashioned spying again.

[tricky_k_1972]

TYPE 052C (LANZHOU CLASS) AIR DEFENCE MISSILE DESTROYER

Two Type 052C (Lanzhou class) air defence missile destroyers have been built by Jiangnan Shipyard of Shanghai for the PLA Navy. The destroyers, based on the same hull of the Type 052B (Guangzhou class) destroyer, feature the Aegis AN/SPY-1-style phased array radar system and vertically launched HQ-9 naval version long-range air defence missile system. The first-of-class 170 Lanzhou was commissioned in 2004, followed by the second hull 171 Haikou in 2005.

PROGRAMME

Following the launch of two Type 052B (Guangzhou class) multirole missile destroyers in 2002, Shanghai-based Jiangnan Shipyard started to build two Type 052C destroyers based on the same hull design, but with more advanced weapon systems and sensors specifically for fleet air defence role. The first-of-class 170 Lanzhou was laid down in late 2002 and launched on 29 April 2003. The ship was commissioned in July 2004. The second ship, 171 Haikou was launched on 30 October 2003 and was scheduled to enter the service in 2005.

Unlike the Type 052B destroyer which is equipped with a mixture of Russian and indigenous systems, the Type 052C is completely based on indigenous technology (apart from few sensors). The most notable feature is the four-array multifunction phased array radar (PAR) similar to the U.S. AN/SPY-1 Aegis system. Additionally, the destroyers are also fitted with the vertical launch system (VLS) for the indigenous HQ-9 long-range air defence missile system, and the latest YJ-85 (C-805) anti-ship missile, both of which are not seen on previous Chinese surface warships.

DEPLOYMENT

No.	Name	Fleet	Launch	Commission
170	Lanzhou	South	29 Apr 03	July 04
171	Haikou	South	30 Oct 03	2005

DESIGN

The destroyer is based on the same hull design and propulsions as the Type 052B destroyers which were launched earlier in the same shipyard. This modular approach would have saved construction time and costs. Compared to the Type 052B, the Type 052C has a much taller bridge, embedded with four fixed phased array radar antennas on the four sides. There is a stern helicopter flight deck and a hanger to accommodate two Russian Ka-28 Halix-A ASW/SAR helicopters.

COMBAT SYSTEM

The destroyer’s overall air defence, surface strike, and antisubmarine warfare (ASW) capabilities will largely depend on how well different weapon systems and sensors are integrated together by the combat system. Most Chinese warships use the command and control system derived from the French Thomson-CSF TAVITAC, but the Type 052C might have a newly developed system with improved processing power to engage anti-ship missile threats.

Although the detailed information on the combat system of the Type 052C is unknown, it is likely that the system will comprise the multifunction phased array radar system, command and decision system, battlefield display system, and weapon control system. The command and decision system receives data from ship sensors and provides command, control and threat assessment. The weapon control system receives engagement instruction from the command and decision system, selects weapons and interfaces with the weapon fire control systems.

In together with its long-range air defence missile and close-in weapon system (CIWS), the Type 052C is the first Chinese-made surface combatant with a true fleet air defence capability. The combat system will ensure that the ship can engage multiple air targets such as sea-skimming missile and aircraft simultaneously. The ship might also be able to transmit combat information to other ships and aircraft via datalink and satellite communications to form a maritime combat network.

MISSILES

A total of 48 HQ-9 naval air defence missiles are carried in and launched from eight 6-cell vertical launch systems (VLS). In contrast to previous reports which suggested that the system may be based on Russian technology, the VLS onboard the Type 052C appears to be an indigenous design. Unlike the Russian-style revolver VLS, each missile launch cell of the Type 052C VLS has its own lid. The missile system utilises the so-called ‘cold launch’, in which the missile was first ejected from the launch tube, and then ignites its rocket engine at low altitude. This launch style avoids the complex flame and gas exhausting pipes on the Western-style ‘hot launch’ VLS.

The HQ-9 is China’s new generation medium- to long-range, semi-active radar-homing air defence missile. The missile is said to be developed in the 1990s on the basis of the Russian S-300, but with a guidance system developed from the U.S. Patriot missile technology. The naval HQ-9 appears to be identical to the land-based variant.

The destroyer also carries two 4-cell YJ-85 (C-805) anti-ship missile launchers installed between rear mast and the helicopter hanger. Unlike previous YJ-8X/C-80X series anti-ship missiles which are launched from box-shape launchers, the missile is launched from a new tube-shape launcher. The missiles are guided by the Band Stand radar installed on top of the bridge and a Light Bulb datalink forward of the hanger. Unconfirmed reports suggested that the missile may have a max range of 200km, and may be supersonic.

GUNS

The Type 052C has two (one front, one rear) Type 730 close-in weapon system (CIWS) for short-range air defence. Two seven-barrel 30mm Type 730 CIWS are located both sides behind the bridge. The weapon system has a maximum rate of fire of 4,600~5,800 rounds/min.

The ship has a single-barrel 100mm gun developed by 713 Institute on the basis of the French Creusot-Loire T100C design. The gun can be used against surface targets and air targets such as aircraft and low speed missile, with a maximum rate of fire of 90 rounds/min. The gun can be operated in fully automatic mode from the radar control system, from the shipborne optical sighting system, or laid manually. The turret design incorporates strong radar cross-section reduction features.

ANTI-SUBMARINE SYSTEMS

The ship is fitted with two triple 324mm Yu-7 (Mk-46 Mod 1) antisubmarine torpedo tubes. Additionally, the destroyer has four 18-barrel multiple rocket launchers (MRLs) installed on the front deck. The purpose of these MRLs remains unknown but is thought to be used to launch antisubmarine rockets, ground- attack rockets and/or decoys/chaffs.

SENSORS

The ship is fitted with four multifunction phased array radar antenna. The radar is reportedly developed by Nanjing Research Institute of Electronic Technology (also known as 14 Institute). There is also a Type 517H-1 (NATO codename: Knife Rest) long-range 2D air search radar; a Russian Band Stand fire-control radar (for anti-ship missile and main gun); and two Type 327G (EFR-1, NATO codename: Rice Lamp) fire control radar for the CIWS.

HELICOPTER

The ship’s stern hanger accommodates 1~2 Kamov Ka-28 (NATO codename: Helix) antisubmarine warfare (ASW) helicopter. Carrying various weapons including torpedoes and deep charges, the helicopter can operate in all weather conditions up to 200km from the host ship.

PROPULSIONS

The ship’s propulsion is in the form of CODOG, consisting of two Ukraine-made DA80/DN80 gas turbines rated at 48,600hp and two Shaanxi diesels (Chinese copy of the MTU 20V956TB92) rated at 8,840hp (6.5 MW).

SPECIFICATIONS

Displacement: 6,500t
Dimensions: Length 154m; Beam 17m, Draft 6m
Max Speed: 29kt
Crew: 280