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

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China’s amended anti-spy law gives law enforcement more power to inspect electronic equipment and digital devices. Photo: Shutterstock

Published: 8:02pm, 1 Aug 2023

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”.

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”.