The case of Liu, a former assistant engineer at a prominent Chinese defense research institute, has garnered significant attention due to its implications for national security and military integrity.
Liu was convicted and executed for leaking classified information about China’s J-35A stealth fighter jet to foreign intelligence agencies. Liu’s dissatisfaction arose after being overlooked for a promotion, leading him to illicitly copy and store sensitive defense documents.
Following his resignation, financial difficulties from unsuccessful stock investments and unauthorized credit activities drove him to sell state secrets for monetary gain. It is also speculated that Liu could have been blackmailed or coerced.
Liu’s actions eventually raised suspicions within China’s national security apparatus, leading to intensive surveillance. He was apprehended during a covert counterintelligence operation.
