How a Chicago College Student Ended Up in the Middle of an FBI Investigation Into Chinese Spying

Chinese spies focused on stealing the secrets of major U.S. aerospace companies had recruited Ji for assistance in Chicago, according to court records. Ji is alleged to have secretly met with his handlers in China and was tasked with gathering biographical information on eight Chinese nationals working in the U.S. Prosecutors say the Chinese government planned to try and recruit the eight as spies — most of whom worked for defense contractors as scientists and engineers.