Archive · 22 Sep 2026
US-China Spy Accusations Shadow Xi-Trump Washington Summit
Xi Jinping of China is planning to visit US President Donald Trump in Washington.
The two leaders are expected to discuss spying and cyberattacks.
The United States says Chinese intelligence services and hackers have targeted companies, government agencies and people.
US officials have brought cases involving stolen secrets, military information and personal data.
China says the United States also hacks Chinese companies and government systems.
Beijing has made several accusations about American cyber operations, though the US has not publicly confirmed some of them.
Trump has said that both countries spy on each other.
This means the two governments cooperate on some issues while also watching one another closely.
Their meeting comes after years of mutual accusations.
Xi Jinping is scheduled to visit Washington from September 23 to 25, 2026, and meet Donald Trump on September 24.
FBI Director Kash Patel said China, Russia and Iran pose major foreign intelligence threats, citing 130 counterintelligence arrests in 18 months, including 60 China-related cases.
US authorities have accused Chinese officials, hackers and recruited sources of stealing trade secrets, personal data, military information and political intelligence.
China has repeatedly accused the United States of hacking Chinese companies, government institutions, telecommunications networks and critical infrastructure.
Both governments have acknowledged or alleged reciprocal espionage, while some Chinese claims about US operations remain publicly unconfirmed by Washington.
- Who
- Chinese leader Xi Jinping, US President Donald Trump, and intelligence and law-enforcement agencies from both countries.
- What
- A planned Xi-Trump meeting is taking place amid a 12-year pattern of US and Chinese accusations of espionage, cyberattacks and intelligence theft.
- When
- Xi's state visit is scheduled for September 23-25, 2026, with the bilateral meeting on September 24; the accusations described span 2014-2026.
- Where
- Washington, United States, with alleged cyber operations targeting organizations and infrastructure in both countries.
- Why
- The meeting comes as the United States reports increased China-related counterintelligence activity, while China continues to accuse Washington of cyber espionage.
US allegations and security concerns
Chinese allegations and denials
Responsibility for cyber espionage
US allegations and security concerns
US officials and prosecutors have accused Chinese intelligence services and state-linked hackers of conducting cyber espionage, stealing information and recruiting sources.
Chinese allegations and denials
Chinese officials have rejected US accusations as groundless and said China is also a victim of cyberattacks conducted by the United States and its allies.
Targeting of sensitive systems
US allegations and security concerns
The United States says China-linked operations targeted companies, universities, government entities, political organizations, telecommunications firms and military-related information.
Chinese allegations and denials
China says US intelligence targeted Huawei, government institutions, critical infrastructure, telecommunications networks and the National Time Service Center.
Evidence and confirmation
US allegations and security concerns
US authorities have announced arrests, prosecutions, convictions and website seizures connected to alleged Chinese intelligence activity.
Chinese allegations and denials
Beijing has made allegations about NSA operations, including attacks during the Asian Winter Games, but the United States did not publicly confirm those claims.
- Planned visit
- Xi Jinping is scheduled to visit Washington from September 23 to 25, 2026.
- Bilateral meeting
- Xi Jinping and Donald Trump are scheduled to meet on September 24, 2026.
- US counterintelligence arrests
- Kash Patel said the FBI made 130 counterintelligence arrests during the previous 18 months.
- China-related cases
- Patel said nearly half of those arrests, or 60 cases, involved Chinese-related spying or other illegal activity.
- US allegations
- US authorities have accused Chinese actors of targeting trade secrets, personal information, military data, political figures and telecommunications companies.
- Chinese allegations
- China has accused US agencies of hacking Huawei, targeting the Asian Winter Games and infiltrating its National Time Service Center.
- Trump's statement
- In May 2026, Trump said the United States spies on China and that China spies on the United States.