The reported incidents of Chinese nationals posing as tourists to attempt to breach U.S. military bases and federal sites raise concerns about potential espionage threats. Over 100 incidents of Chinese nationals attempting to access U.S. military bases and other federal sites have been tracked by the FBI and Department of Defense. These individuals, referred to as “gate crashers,” have been detected in various locations across the United States.
Authorities believe that some of these incidents may be connected to Chinese government efforts to gather intelligence by testing and reporting on security practices at these installations. This poses a potential espionage threat. The FBI, Department of Defense, and other agencies conducted a review in an attempt to deter these incidents. It is not clear how many of these incidents were harmless, as some individuals claimed to have been following directions to nearby fast-food restaurants located on military bases.
Chinese nationals who have been caught attempting to breach security at military bases have been cited criminally, barred from future access to the installations, and escorted off the premises. Trespassing laws are primarily state and local, rather than federal. Chinese intelligence collection efforts appear to involve deploying numerous individuals, understanding that some may get caught while others may not. This strategy makes it difficult for the U.S. government to prove nefarious intent beyond trespassing.
Some lawmakers, such as Rep. Jason Crow, have expressed concern about these incidents and are considering legislation to address the issue. Most trespassing laws are at the state and local levels, and there is a growing recognition of the need for federal action. Some incidents have occurred repeatedly, such as Chinese nationals swimming near an intelligence center in Key West, Florida, or crossing into a missile site adjacent to White Sands National Park. These incidents often involve taking photographs of sensitive areas. Few, if any, of these cases have resulted in espionage charges, even though they raise concerns about potential intelligence-gathering activities by Chinese nationals. There have been previous cases of Chinese nationals engaging in suspicious activities in the United States, including diplomats suspected of espionage and individuals attempting to access sensitive locations.
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SOURCE
https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/article/fbi-tracks-over-100-incidents-of-chinese-nationals-posing-as-tourists-to-breach-us-military-sites-report/ar-AA1gegWB