The government of China is encouraging citizens to take up “anti-intelligence work” to protect the country from espionage. The government wants to set up digital channels so that citizens can report suspicious activities.
According to the Ministry of State Security, this system should make it “normal” for citizens to engage in anti-espionage work. The ministry says on the Chinese messaging platform WeChat that it needs the help of the people to protect the country from espionage.
The call follows the expansion of a Chinese anti-espionage law in July. It prohibits the sharing of information about national security and Chinese interests. The government did not say exactly what that entails. The definition of espionage was also expanded.
The United States fears that foreign companies in China could be penalized for their normal activities by the new law. In recent years, China has arrested and detained dozens of Chinese and foreigners on suspicion of espionage.
At the same time, the country itself is accused by Western countries of espionage and cyber attacks. In July, for example, it was announced that several US ministries had been hacked by a Chinese espionage group.
Germany warned last week about Chinese students who study abroad with a scholarship from the Chinese state. They might be spying for China.
2023-08-01 10:08:59
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