French Are Target of Widespread Spying by Chinese, Figaro Says

Thousands of French civil servants, scientists, high-level private-sector managers and other influential people are the targets of an unprecedented espionage effort by China, according to Le Figaro newspaper.

French intelligence agencies, in a report sent to the government on Oct. 19, describe the Chinese spy network as elaborate and widespread, with targets contacted through professional social networks, especially LinkedIn, the Figaro reported Tuesday. Several hundred French have been compromised, it said.