Wonder how many are in the media or holding office ?
The 15,000 is lowballed in portions of millions aka useful idiots that were not counted
But, but, but RUSSIA!!!
The Chinese are relying on quantity rather than quality and pushes ethnic Chinese that are staying abroad to tell what they know. They are not spies in the traditional sense but is a threat to country and industry.
Businessmen are not really aware of this threat. I would not hire Chinese engineers if I have a high tech company. They will sooner or later be approached by “the Motherland” to steal intellectual property. The talented ones should stay at the universities or have their own companies in order to reduce the risk.
The risk is higher for companies that are competing with Chinese (or Russian) state owned companies, such as in defense and nuclear.
This MO will probably stop in 20 years or so, when Beijing understands that IP is a value for them as well.
read this as well http://observer.com/2016/04/the-unpleasant-truth-about-chinese-espionage/