[elfsight_social_share_buttons id=”1″]

Two navy sailors were arrested earlier this week for providing China with classified military secrets.

The FBI announced the arrests Thursday, saying it highlights how China is aggressively seeking to “undermine our democracy and threaten those who defend it.”

Petty Officer Wenhang Zhao and U.S. Navy Sailor Jinchao Wei were slammed with conspiracy and espionage charges. They allegedly received up to $15,000 in bribes in exchange for photographs and videos of sensitive U.S. military information. This included plans for military exercises and details of American warships.

FBI Special Agent Stacey Moy says the arrests show the threat the US.. faces from China.

So far, China has denied any knowledge of the alleged activity, calling it “groundless slander and smear of China.”