China has warned the US it will take Americans hostage if the Department of Justice doesn't release Chinese research scientists accused of lying about working for the People's Liberation Army, according to sources.
People familiar with the matter told the Wall Street Journal Chinese government officials have warned their American counterparts repeatedly and through multiple channels including through the US Embassy in Beijing that the nation will take drastic action if their demands are not met.
The move, known as 'hostage diplomacy', would be in retaliation for the arrests of several Chinese scientists on US soil this year.
At least four scientists have been detained and charged with visa fraud for allegedly lying to US immigration to gain access to working at notable US medical research universities all the while secretly working for the Chinese military.
China is demanding the DOJ drop the charges against them.
Sources said China first started warning America it would take US nationals residing in China hostage back in the summer.
On one occasion in June, China threatened to detain an American if the US didn't let research scientist Juan Tang return to China.
Tang was questioned by the FBI in June after a photo emerged online of her in PLA uniform.
She had claimed on her visa application she was never part of the Chinese military.
Tang was supposedly working at the University of California on cancer research.
Prosecutors later said they found Chinese military documents about research 'related to antidotes for biological agents' on her electronic devices.
Tang holed up in China's San Francisco consulate for a month after being questioned by the FBI and China vowed retaliation if she wasn't permitted to leave and return to China, sources told the Journal.
When Tang left the consulate grounds in July the FBI arrested and charged her with visa fraud.
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