The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) posted a new short video in Mandarin.
The roughly 2-minute video gives clear, step-by-step instructions for people inside China on how to contact the CIA safely and anonymously.
It shows everyday scenes of Chinese professionals and businesspeople at work, while a narrator explains key safety steps, including:
- Assessing personal and family risks before proceeding
- Using public Wi-Fi or non-personal devices
- Downloading and using a VPN from a Western company
- Using the Tor browser for extra anonymity
- Creating a new anonymous email account (without any personal details)
- Avoiding traceable apps and deleting traces after contact
- Using cash to buy new or used devices (and factory resetting used ones)
The CIA’s post in Chinese reads:
“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。”
(Translation: This video provides the full set of steps for safely contacting the Central Intelligence Agency. Below are several key considerations to keep in mind before and during the process. The CIA wants to know the truth about China. We are looking for people who know and can tell the truth.)
This latest video is part of an ongoing public outreach campaign by the CIA. It builds on similar Mandarin-language materials released in 2025, including instructional clips and detailed guides aimed at encouraging individuals — especially those in government, military, technology, or bureaucratic roles — to share sensitive information about China’s government, military developments, technology programs, and strategic activities.
The effort comes during continued high tensions between the United States and China over issues like Taiwan, advanced technology competition, cybersecurity threats, and economic rivalry. The CIA has described China as its top intelligence priority in a long-term strategic competition.
The post quickly became very popular, gaining over 2.3 million views within hours.
Reactions varied widely: some users expressed support for anyone willing to share information, others questioned the CIA’s trustworthiness or methods, and some posted jokes or sarcastic comments about global spying.
The CIA stresses it is only interested in truthful, direct knowledge from credible sources — and places the highest importance on protecting the security of anyone who reaches out.
