Amidst the closing of China's annual political gatherings, concerns are rising regarding China's espionage tactics to gain technological, AI, and military advantages over the US. Experts like Peter Schweizer highlight the issue of Chinese nationals receiving flight training in the US, potentially strengthening China's military.
by GEOFF HARRIS | The National News DeskBEIJING, CHINA - MARCH 12: Chinese President Xi Jinping reads as he follows along during voting at the closing session of the National People's Congress at the Great Hall of the People on March 12, 2026 in Beijing, China .
China's annual political gatherings, which includes the National People's Congress and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference , and is known as the Two Sessions, convenes leaders and lawmakers to set the government's agenda for domestic economic and social development for the year. The gathering closed on March 12th. From aviation schools to university research labs, there is growing concern that China is escalating its espionage tactics to gain an advantage over the United States, specifically in technology, artificial intelligence and military secrets. Peter Schweizer, President of the Government Accountability Institute, released a book earlier this year titled: "The Invisible Coup: How American Elites and Foreign Powers Use Immigration as a Weapon." In it, he alleges thousands of Chinese nationals receive flight training every year at U.S. aviation schools. Strengthening China's military and creating a national security concern. This is a strategic advantage to China, it's a benefit to China, and I think it's a practice we need to end in terms of protecting our national security," said Schweizer. Schweizer told The National News Desk that China has a pilot problem. The country needs around 5,000 pilots a year but can only train 1,250 dude to airspace restrictions. So what they've done is outsource to the U.S. So they're coming to the U.S, they're tuition is being paid by the Chinese government, they're getting basic flight training, they return to China and then the best pilots are going to go on and get advanced military flight training, said Schweizer. When asked why China isn't banned from doing this, Schweizer pointed to a law passed after 9/11 mandating that if you're from a terrorist sponsored area, country or region you can't get flight training in the U.S. That does not cover adversarial countries like Russia and China getting training here. So I think the law needs to be extended to include that," Schweizer said. One lawmaker trying to change the rules is Sen. Jim Banks, R-Ind., who recently sent a letter to the TSA urging the administration to ban Chinese nationals from receiving flight training at U.S. Schools. The more Chinese citizens there are with aviation training, the more options the Chinese military has to recruit instructors for its malign purposes," part of his letter read. Meanwhile, interim president at the University of Michigan, Domenico Grasso, also appeared on Capitol Hill this week, following federal charges filed against three Chinese citizens linked to the school for allegedly smuggling biological materials. Grasso used the case to highlight why universities have become potential targets for adversaries. Housing some of the worlds greatest minds makes the University of Michigan a potential target for threats, such as research espionage, unauthorized technology transfer and foreign talent recruitment programs," Grasso said. Plus, earlier this year, espionage concerns intensified after former U.S. Air Force pilot Gerald Brown was arrested and charged with conspiring to provide defense services to Chinese military pilots without authorization. As the competition intensifies between these two great powers, we can anticipate there is going to be more espionage and it's going to be more extensive and intensive," said Schweizer.Earlier this week, the FBI also announced over half a dozen indictments in connection with "Operation Box Cutter," which targets Chinese chemical companies and nationals supplying precursor chemicals to Mexican drug cartels to make fentanyl.Residents in Morrow and Knox Counties are cleaning up after powerful overnight storms.Franklin County Job & Resource Fair If you’re ready for a fresh start this spring, the Franklin County Job & Resource Fair could be your next step forward.Happening Saturday, March 28, from 10 a.mAs the weather warms and spring break approaches, there’s no better place for families to reconnect with nature, wildlife, and each other than the Columbus ZooA Marion man convicted of taking hundreds of thousands of dollars from customers for construction projects that were never finished is headed to prison.
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