> If it risks the lives and sometimes costs the lives of Americans performing a highly dangerous mission for America

Granted it probably risked the lives of non-Americans even more performing a dangerous mission for America. American agents are usually not harmed, it would be a major fuck up from the Chinese side to knowingly assassinating CIA agents. But what they would not think twice about executing Chinese agents who supplied information to the Americans.

It's interesting that you've mentioned "America" twice in this sentence. What are your thoughts on this if it was another country?

Is it really news to you that life, politics, and international relations have tribal and competitive aspects to them? You can be superrational, but that will cause you to lose horribly to the rest of the players. Unless you believe that China would be especially magnanimous in reversed circumstances, what is your point?

Being superrational would allow you to predict the irrationality of the irrationality of other players, and update your strategy accordingly.

Out of curiosity, do you feel the same way when the countries are switched?

That's treason, so it's fair for me. Russians and Chinese probably shoot betraying spies after being debriefed and tortured. It's part of the equation, that's why they should ask for millions and millions, risk vs reward.

https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/2381 Whoever, owing allegiance to the United States, levies war against them or adheres to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort within the United States or elsewhere, is guilty of treason and shall suffer death, or shall be imprisoned not less than five years and fined...