Espionage

Spy crackdown reflects US security shift

Over eight days in April, the US charged individuals linked with China with offences ranging from siphoning off American nuclear reactor technology and smuggling military-grade carbon fibre to trying to illegally export underwater vehicle designs.

Together, the charges highlight a new strategy for the Department of Justice.

Officials say they are now treating as crimes activities that once were regarded as routine government-to-government jousting. To do so, prosecutors are marrying intelligence operations, including electronic eavesdropping approved under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, with traditional law enforcement tactics.