Chinese Man Wanted for Stealing Covid Data Held in Italy: US
In a significant development in the ongoing battle against cybercrime, the US Department of Justice has announced that a Chinese state-sponsored contract hacker, Xu Zewei, has been arrested in Italy at the request of Washington. The arrest comes as a major blow to Chinese intelligence agencies, which are accused of sponsoring the hacking group that stole COVID-19 vaccine secrets from the US in 2020, at the height of the pandemic.
According to a press release issued by the US Department of Justice, Xu Zewei, a 33-year-old Chinese national, was arrested on July 1, 2025, in Milan, Italy, following a joint operation between US and Italian law enforcement agencies. The move marks the first time a Chinese state-sponsored hacker has been arrested outside of China, highlighting the growing concern among Western governments about the threat posed by Chinese cyber-espionage.
The US Department of Justice alleges that Xu Zewei was part of a hacking group, known as APT41, which was sponsored by the Chinese Ministry of State Security. The group was accused of stealing sensitive information, including COVID-19 vaccine research, from companies and organizations around the world, including the United States.
The COVID-19 pandemic, which began in late 2019, brought significant challenges to the global health and economy. As scientists scrambled to develop effective vaccines and treatments, hackers saw an opportunity to exploit the situation and steal sensitive information that could be used to benefit China’s own vaccine development efforts.
The US Department of Justice claims that Xu Zewei and his accomplices hacked into the computer systems of several US companies, including a major vaccine manufacturer, and stole sensitive information, including trade secrets and intellectual property. The stolen data was then allegedly transmitted back to China, where it was used to benefit the country’s own vaccine development efforts.
The Chinese government has previously denied any involvement in the hacking, but the US Department of Justice says that the evidence is clear. “This case demonstrates the US Department of Justice’s commitment to holding accountable those who engage in state-sponsored cybercrime,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security, John C. Demers. “The theft of sensitive information, including COVID-19 vaccine research, undermines the integrity of the global vaccine development process and endangers public health.”
Xu Zewei’s arrest is seen as a significant victory for the US Department of Justice, which has been working tirelessly to disrupt the activities of Chinese state-sponsored hackers. In recent years, the US has seen a significant increase in cyber-attacks from China, with many of them targeting sensitive information, including trade secrets and intellectual property.
The arrest also comes at a time when tensions between the US and China are running high. The two countries have been engaged in a trade war, and there are concerns about China’s growing military presence in the Pacific. The US has been working to strengthen its cybersecurity defenses, and the arrest of Xu Zewei is seen as a significant step in that effort.
In a statement, the Italian authorities praised the cooperation between the two countries, saying that the arrest demonstrated the effectiveness of international efforts to combat cybercrime. “The arrest of Xu Zewei is a significant success for Italian and US law enforcement, and it demonstrates our commitment to working together to combat cybercrime,” said a spokesperson for the Italian Ministry of the Interior.
As the world continues to grapple with the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the arrest of Xu Zewei serves as a reminder of the importance of cybersecurity. The theft of sensitive information, including COVID-19 vaccine research, undermines the integrity of the global vaccine development process and endangers public health.
The US Department of Justice’s efforts to disrupt the activities of Chinese state-sponsored hackers are an important step in the fight against cybercrime. As the world continues to evolve, it is essential that governments and companies work together to protect sensitive information and prevent the theft of intellectual property.
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