Overview

• Liu, a former assistant engineer at a Chinese research institute, secretly copied classified materials before resigning over workplace grievances.
• He sold state secrets to a foreign intelligence agency, motivated by financial distress from failed investments, but was later cut off after being paid a low price.
• Over six months, Liu attempted to sell additional classified information to multiple foreign agencies while traveling through several countries.
• Chinese authorities arrested Liu, and he was sentenced to death, though the timing of his sentencing and execution has not been disclosed.
• The case highlights China's rare use of the death penalty for espionage and its growing efforts to counter foreign intelligence threats, including publicizing cases on social media.