A US Navy recruitment office in California has come under scrutiny following a report by journalist Jennifer Zeng, a member of the International Press Association and longtime analyst of Chinese political affairs. Zeng’s report highlights concerns over the office’s recruitment practices, including the exclusive use of Chinese as the working language and the use of the Chinese-owned app WeChat for communications.
Exclusive Chinese Staffing Raises Questions
In a video uploaded to YouTube on December 1, 2024, a Chinese-language content creator documented their visit to the Alhambra recruitment office. According to the video, every staff member present was of Chinese descent, as were the individuals seeking to enlist. Zeng noted that the primary language spoken in the office was Chinese, sparking questions about inclusivity and operational oversight.
The YouTuber was reportedly guided by a US Navy recruiter identified as EN2 Qlang Wang, whose contact information was shared in the video description. What raised significant alarm, Zeng pointed out, was that Wang’s WeChat ID was listed as the primary method of contact, with the office’s telephone number listed second.
Security Concerns Over WeChat Use
WeChat, a widely used messaging app owned by Chinese tech giant Tencent, is known to be subject to data monitoring and control by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Zeng warned that using WeChat in the recruitment process could expose sensitive personal information about applicants, making it accessible to the CCP.
“This at least gives the CCP access to the personal data of all those who apply to join the US Navy and who are admitted,” Zeng said.
Loyalty and Espionage Fears
Zeng also raised concerns about potential divided loyalties among recruits of Chinese origin. She cited a recent video in which a Chinese-American military member claimed they would refuse to fight against China in the event of a conflict.
“If all these Chinese people recruited through this office feel the same, what will happen?” Zeng asked. She further posited that some recruits could be preemptively recruited by the CCP as spies or may already have such affiliations.
Can you believe this is a US NAVY Recruiting Office in Alhambra, CA? EVERY recruiter here is Chinese, as well as all the people coming to enlist. The working language here is also Chinese.
— Inconvenient Truths by Jennifer Zeng (@jenniferzeng97) December 10, 2024
The video was filmed by a Chinese language YouTuber, and the US NAVY recruiter who took… pic.twitter.com/GeP7xZgJQL
Zeng emphasized that many individuals featured in the video spoke with accents characteristic of mainland China, suggesting they are recent immigrants or maintain strong ties to the People’s Republic of China (PRC).
Broader Implications for Military Recruitment
The video’s title, “How Desperate Are Chinese People to Join the US Military? They’re Overwhelming Recruitment Offices, Each with Their Own Reasons for Enlisting,” further adds a layer of complexity. The term “中國人” (Zhōngguó rén), used in the title, can be interpreted as “Chinese people” or specifically as citizens of the PRC, potentially reflecting an allegiance to China.
Zeng’s findings underscore the challenges of balancing diversity and inclusion with national security in military recruitment. The report has sparked calls for an investigation into the practices of the Alhambra office and broader scrutiny of recruitment channels in communities with strong ties to foreign nations.
As of now, the US Navy has not issued a public statement regarding the concerns raised in Zeng’s report.
Jennifer Zeng, a veteran journalist and former researcher at the Development Research Center of China’s State Council, continues to spotlight issues she believes are critical to US national security. Her findings have fueled a broader discussion on the implications of foreign influence in sensitive areas of American governance and defense.
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