The Five Eyes (FVEY) alliance, comprising the intelligence agencies of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, has taken significant steps to curb China's efforts to recruit Western military aviators for training purposes, especially targeting capabilities deemed essential for potential military actions against Taiwan.
The National Counterintelligence and Security Center (NCSC), acting on behalf of the FVEY, issued a joint bulletin on June 5 about the ongoing attempts by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to enlist current and retired Western service members.
The goal, as outlined by NCSC Director Michael C. Casey, is to shore up the People's Liberation Army's (PLA) aerial combat skills through covert recruitment channels operated by private firms with obscured ties to the PLA.
These efforts involve offering substantial financial incentives to attract Western military talent, crucial for enhancing China's military capabilities.
To counter this strategic threat, the United States and its allies have implemented a series of measures. These include imposing commercial restrictions on entities like the Test Flying Academy of South Africa (TFASA), known to facilitate training for Chinese military aviators.
Additionally, regulatory changes have been enacted to prohibit former military personnel from engaging in post-service employment that involves imparting military knowledge or training to Chinese entities.
Military expert Tony Xia highlighted the stark reality that China's fighter pilot corps lacks substantial combat experience, which contrasts sharply with the extensive operational histories of its Western counterparts.
We are building the infrastructure of human freedom and empowering people to be informed, healthy and aware. Explore our decentralized, peer-to-peer, uncensorable Brighteon.io free speech platform here. Learn about our free, downloadable generative AI tools at Brighteon.AI. Every purchase at HealthRangerStore.com helps fund our efforts to build and share more tools for empowering humanity with knowledge and abundance.
He emphasized that by recruiting experienced Western aviators, the CCP aims to bridge this critical gap and absorb advanced training methodologies and operational insights from Western military doctrines.
Former Taiwan Air Force deputy commander Zhang Yanting, now a professor at Taiwan's National Defense University, underscored the strategic implications of CCP recruitment efforts. He noted that acquiring firsthand combat experience from Western pilots is crucial for China's preparations in any potential conflict scenarios, particularly concerning Taiwan. (Related: Taiwanese president warns military cadets about China’s relentless threat to Taiwan’s national sovereignty.)
CCP also wants to gain intelligence and operational insights from Western military personnel
Qi Leyi, a well-regarded military commentator from Taiwan, pointed out that the CCP's recruitment strategy targets not only technical skills but also valuable intelligence and operational insights from seasoned Western military personnel.
This approach underscores the CCP's concerted efforts to enhance its military capabilities through illicit means.
Recent revelations have brought specific cases into focus, such as the TFASA in South Africa, which faced sanctions from the U.S. Department of Commerce in 2023 for its involvement in training activities for Chinese military personnel.
Reports have also highlighted instances where former U.S. and British military pilots were engaged in training Chinese counterparts, including specialized skills related to carrier-based aviation operations.
In France, similar concerns have arisen regarding CCP efforts to recruit skilled instructors capable of training Chinese pilots in carrier operations, a domain where Western expertise remains highly sought after due to its strategic significance and complexity.
Overall, analysts caution that the CCP's recruitment of seasoned Western military personnel is part of a broader strategy to advance its military capabilities and gain access to sensitive military technologies and operational practices.
Read more stories about a potential armed conflict between China and Taiwan at WWIII.news.
Watch this video to learn more about the conflict between China and Taiwan and to know how the Chinese are threatening Americans for defending Taiwan.
This video is from The Voice from the Car channel on Brighteon.com.
More related stories:
Taiwan admits U.S. troops are stationed on islands close to the Chinese mainland.
Taiwan: China may not be ready to invade by 2027.
Sources include:
Please contact us for more information.