A retired US Air Force major has been arrested by federal authorities for allegedly training Chinese military pilots, the Justice Department announced Wednesday. The case marks another escalation in tensions between Washington and Beijing over military technology transfers and personnel recruitment.

Federal prosecutors accuse the former officer of providing training to Chinese military aviation personnel, though specific details about the nature of the training or when it occurred remain under seal. The arrest comes amid heightened scrutiny of former US military personnel who may have worked for foreign governments, particularly those considered strategic rivals.

The Justice Department has increasingly focused on preventing sensitive military knowledge from reaching Chinese hands, pursuing cases involving former service members who allegedly shared expertise or technology. This arrest follows a pattern of prosecutions targeting individuals accused of aiding China's military modernization efforts.