Washington, July 2 -- Two Chinese nationals have been charged in the US with engaging in espionage activities on behalf of China, including photographing a naval base, coordinating a clandestine cash drop, and attempting to recruit members of the US military, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said on Wednesday (Indian time).

The federal case, filed in San Francisco and unsealed on Monday (US time), is the latest in a series of prosecutions aimed at curbing what American officials describe as the Chinese government's relentless efforts to gather intelligence on US military operations.

The allegations echo a broader trend, which gained international attention two years ago when a Chinese surveillance balloon was shot down over the coast of ...