Be alert: China enlists the public in push back at US spying efforts
- The Ministry of State Security is using social media to spread the word of the espionage threat
- It follows the expansion of the country’s anti-spying law and is breeding uncertainty for foreign businesses, an analyst says
When the WeChat account of China’s Ministry of State Security came to life late last month, it appeared to have two missions: pushing back at Western criticism of its national security efforts and enlisting the public in counter-intelligence.
“12339. You are a hero. National security – everyone has a part to play,” an online poster from the ministry says, urging people to call its national hotline.
The public outreach effort dovetails with a broadening of the Counter-Espionage Law that took effect last month and comes as relations with the West worsen.
But observers have questioned the value of the vague legislation and the public push, saying they add up to more uncertainty for foreign businesses in China and blur the lines of national security.