The Central Intelligence Agency has released a recruitment video aimed at attracting informants from China, signalling a rare and direct public outreach effort by the U.S. intelligence agency.
The two-minute video was published on the agency’s official X account and includes Chinese subtitles. In its caption, the CIA said the video outlines “a full set of steps for making secure contact” with the agency and highlights key precautions to consider before and during the process.
“The CIA wants to know the truth about China, and we are looking for people who know and can tell the truth,” the agency said in the post, underscoring its interest in information related to Chinese state affairs.
According to users who reviewed and translated the video, the agency specifically targets individuals with access to sensitive information about the Chinese government, military operations, or economic activities. The video emphasises operational security, advising potential informants to avoid using personal devices, clear browsing history, and use tools that conceal IP addresses and physical locations.
此视频提供安全联系中央情报局的全套步骤。以下有几个在进行安全联系之前及在过程中务必考量的事项。中情局想知道中国的真相，我们正在寻找知道并能告知真相的人。 pic.twitter.com/LlLLdfA2Q4
— CIA (@CIA) January 15, 2026The CIA also directs viewers to a secure form on its official website for submitting tips. However, the agency did not disclose any details about compensation or incentives for those who choose to provide information.
Throughout the video, the agency repeatedly warns about surveillance risks and concludes with a clear call to action, urging viewers to “contact us securely.”
The post triggered mixed reactions online. Some users criticised the move as contradictory to U.S. opposition to foreign interference, while others questioned whether anyone would respond to the appeal. Despite the backlash, analysts say the video reflects the intensifying intelligence competition between Washington and Beijing.
