China’s Amendments to the Anti-Espionage Law: Tightened Control and Impact on Trading Partners

Amid growing international competition and mutual mistrust, China is increasingly concerned about national security and espionage by external strategic rivals. With this justification, Xi Jinping’s government this year also implemented amendments to the Anti-Espionage Law, which not only allow for tighter control of society, but also make it difficult for trading partners, including the European Union.

The anti-espionage law, which has now spread throughout the world, came into force in China for the first time in 2015 to prevent and punish the leaking of state secrets and intelligence information. However, on July 1 of this year, amendments to the law passed in April, which expand the list of punishable actions, entered into force. The leaking of any other “documents, data, materials or objects” that are “related to national security and state interests” is now also considered espionage according to Article 4 of the law. Also mentioned are cyber-attacks and damage to the state and critical infrastructure.

On the other hand, in the last paragraph of Article 4, it is indicated that criminal liability is also applicable for “other espionage activities”, which are not explained in detail. Thus, people and organizations that are not connected to security and intelligence institutions and have no access to confidential state information can be investigated and punished for espionage. You can use your imagination to punish almost anything.

2023-11-28 22:01:00
#Chinas #AntiEspionage #Law #Amendments #Worrying #Europe