China urges public to join ‘grim and complex’ anti-espionage fight as new law takes effect

Ministry also calls on security agencies to implement revised law, which broadens definition of spying and expands investigative powers
Beijing vows ‘all necessary’ countermeasures after CIA director says US has ‘made progress’ in rebuilding spy networks in China

US-China relations

Vanessa Caiin Shanghai

Published: 8:02pm, 1 Aug 2023

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China’s top state security body has called on the public to join the fight against spying and support implementation of the country’s new anti-espionage law.

China’s Ministry of State Security said in a WeChat article published on Tuesday that security agencies must thoroughly implement the law and would need help from the general public, calling the current state of anti-espionage efforts “grim and complex”.

The article said espionage is a serious crime that “requires not only security agencies to play the role of special anti-espionage organs, but also the broad participation of the people and their joint prevention”.

China’s anti-espionage chief urges stronger crackdown using legal tools

The ministry’s call came a month after the newly amended anti-espionage law came into effect. Earlier this year, Chinese President Xi Jinping called attention to growing national security concerns and urged officials to prepare for “worst-case and most extreme scenarios” amid geopolitical tensions.

A major revision to the law was passed by the country’s top legislature in April. The revision expands the definition of spying and gives law enforcement agencies greater investigative powers to inspect electronic equipment and digital devices.

Last week, Beijing vowed to take “all necessary” countermeasures after CIA director William Burns told the Aspen Security Forum that the agency had “made progress” in rebuilding its spy networks in China.

Foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said China would take measures “to firmly safeguard our national security”. She also criticised the US for accusing Beijing of engaging in espionage activities on the one hand while spying on China on the other.

In the article, the Ministry of State Security noted that the new anti-espionage law said that security agencies were legally required to “rely on the support of the people, mobilising and organising the people to prevent and stop espionage”.

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The article also said governments at all levels should incorporate counter-espionage knowledge into public education and training.

It said there should be a channel for citizens and organisations to report suspicious activities that could harm state security. The ministry said citizens should be encouraged to participate in counter-espionage work and should be commended, rewarded and protected.

The article noted that the anti-espionage law’s revision “fully reflects the great importance” the Communist Party leadership has attached to national security.

China vows countermeasures after CIA chief says agency rebuilding network

Before the amendment, Beijing announced a slew of espionage cases and warned Chinese citizens to stay alert to such activities.

In a commentary published in June, Chen Yixin, who was appointed minister of state security in October, called on senior officials to study the new law and intensify enforcement using legal tools.

He also said the state security apparatus must “severely crack down” on those who might steal China’s state secrets.

In early July, Chen wrote in another article that China must “proactively defend” against spies, and that the country should harness the power of big data, blockchains and artificial intelligence to tackle threats.