Zeng, who was regarded as a classified person, was sent to Italy to pursue further education and while there became acquainted with a US embassy official, according to the CCTV report.

Zeng was found to have signed an espionage agreement with the US and received training before returning to China to carry out espionage activities, it reported.

CCTV said “compulsory measures” had been taken against Zeng, but did not give any further details.

China has been stepping up its oversight of what it deems espionage activities.

Early this month, the state security ministry said the nation should encourage its citizens to join counter-espionage work, including creating channels for individuals to report suspicious activity, as well as commending and rewarding them.

The ministry said a system that makes it “normal” for the masses to participate in counter-espionage must be established.

Last month, China introduced an anti-espionage law that bans the transfer of any information related to national security and interests without defining those terms.

The new law alarmed the US while the European Union ambassador to China had said in May he was not sure the opening up of the Chinese economy was compatible with the counter-espionage law.