FSB sounds the alarm: China is spying on Russia
FSB sounds the alarm: A secret report shows how China is deliberately exploiting Russian weaknesses - espionage, mistrust and covert power games determine the relationship.
The FSB is sounding the alarm: behind the friendly tone between China and Russia lies a reality full of espionage and strategic deception. Officially, both powers emphasize a "limitless friendship". In reality, however, there are increasing signs that this partnership is characterized by deep mistrust. An internal report from Russian security circles reveals just how tense the relationship between Moscow and Beijing really is. While the political stage continues to pretend unity, behind the scenes everyone is working against everyone else.
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China claims Russian territory
China has not forgiven Russia for the humiliation of the so-called "unequal treaties" or the arrogant behavior of Soviet officials in earlier decades. Nationalist voices within China are now openly demanding the return of former territories. Demands to annex parts of Siberia are increasing on social networks. In 2023, Beijing published a map on which not only some regions in eastern Russia were given their old Chinese names again. The border lines also deviate from the official course and include Russian territory.
In the same year, both countries agreed that China would be allowed to use the port of Vladivostok - formerly Haishenwai - for its own trading activities. This development apparently caused considerable concern in Moscow. According to a report in the New York Times, the Russian domestic intelligence service FSB registered increased Chinese activities in the east of the country. The suspicion: Beijing is pursuing territorial interests that go beyond economic cooperation.
An eight-page internal document from the FSB's "Untonant-4" program, which was launched shortly before the Russian invasion of Ukraine, describes China as a systematically operating spy. The text suggests that Beijing consistently exploits Russian weaknesses in order to gain strategic advantages. Trust in the East Asian partner is crumbling.
What's more, the FSB describes China as "the enemy".
The Russian secret service accuses China of collecting targeted information on military technology, weapons systems and tactical deployment methods. The focus is particularly on data about drones, software solutions for use in war and Western weapons technology that is being tested in Ukraine. Chinese agents are targeting scientists and soldiers and trying to win them over to their cause. Even old Soviet designs, such as hovercraft, are of interest to Chinese agencies.
To conceal this espionage, Chinese actors use academic collaborations, trading companies and infrastructure projects. These networks are particularly active in the Arctic, where new trade routes are opening up, and in Central Asia, where Russia is losing influence. The FSB sees this as a direct threat to Russian security interests. The response remains internal: Surveillance of Chinese citizens, analysis of digital communication, warnings to the country's own scientific community. While the public tone remains friendly, the reality is characterized by growing mistrust.
Another sensitive issue is the Wagner Group. According to the FSB, Beijing is trying to use their operational experience to set up its own security companies. The aim is to gain influence in Africa and South East Asia. The Russian mercenaries do not serve as allies, but as a training platform for future Chinese operations. The purpose is clear: China's army lacks real combat experience. The processes and structures of the Wagner troops are to be studied and adopted in their entirety.
The FSB is extremely vigilant. Every measure against Chinese activities requires approval from the Kremlin. The foreign policy damage of an open conflict is considered intolerable. President Putin is pursuing the line of keeping the relationship stable, although central offices in the security apparatus have long recognized a systematic opponent. Alexander Gabuev from the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center puts it soberly: Putin knows the risk, but he needs China. Paul Kolby, a former CIA officer, goes further. He says that China's strategic behavior resembles that of an enemy masquerading as a partner.
Distrust replaces "boundless friendship"
Political reality shows that there can no longer be any talk of "boundless friendship". Economic dependencies, mutual deception and covert operations determine the relationship between the two powers. China is testing the stability of Russia's periphery and is specifically seeking knowledge that can be gained from the war in Ukraine. Russia recognizes the danger, but has to keep up appearances.
The methods described by the FSB correspond exactly to the known approach of Chinese intelligence services in Europe and North America. The targeted interest in the Wagner Group fits seamlessly into this pattern. The most serious structural deficiency of the Chinese army lies in its lack of real combat experience. The deployment of North Korean units in Ukraine has shown that an army without practical war experience is not operationally effective, even with good training. China is specifically seeking strategic resources in this area.
The report documents a relationship that is characterized not by trust, but by mistrust and mutual exploitation. Both regimes follow Machiavelli's logic: "Be more careful of your friends than of your enemies." The so-called partnership serves the external effect, while internally, espionage, influence and isolation determine the actual relationship. When dealing with the two countries, this also means that no one can be trusted. Or as Voltaire put it: "My God, save me from my friends, I can deal with my enemies alone."
Fascinating piece. Beneath all the “no-limits friendship” talk, it’s clear Russia and China don’t trust each other at all. Espionage, territorial suspicion, and strategic backstabbing—this looks more like a cold rivalry than a real alliance. A classic case of frenemies playing nice in public, while quietly preparing for the worst.