China sentences ex-engineer to death for espionage

A former Chinese engineer has been sentenced to death for allegedly leaking state secrets to a foreign intelligence agency. The Chinese Ministry of State Security reported that the man, named Liu, sold a large amount of classified information. Liu worked as an assistant engineer at a research institute. He resigned after feeling unfairly treated. While still employed, he copied and kept classified materials with plans to retaliate against his superiors later, according to the ministry. The official report did not disclose the name of the research institute or provide Liu's full name. It mentioned that Liu was struggling with heavy debt from failed investments. This financial pressure made him consider selling the classified materials he had. Liu was tricked by the foreign agency into sharing the secrets at a low price. After this incident, he traveled abroad attempting to sell more classified information over six months, compromising national security. Following an investigation, Liu received the death sentence. The exact timing of the execution has not been revealed. China's government has increased its warnings about foreign spying under President Xi Jinping. The Ministry of State Security has been active on social media, sharing findings about espionage and warning citizens of potential foreign threats.