China’s intelligence agency calls case of ‘extreme environmentalism’ a threat to national security
- Ministry says it ‘lawfully punished’ Chinese resident who ‘fabricated’ materials suggesting environmental issues in fishing industry
- It claims the person had helped ‘some countries’ to enact trade restrictions against China in ‘carefully orchestrated political conspiracy’
It was the Ministry of State Security’s latest warning as Beijing seeks to revive the economy amid an intensifying trade rivalry with the US and its allies.
Li had “enthusiastically” taken part in environmental protection activities and was recruited by “anti-China forces” while studying abroad, building connections with non-government organisations, overseas industry associations and multinational companies, according to the post.
The ministry said that with the support of an overseas agency, Li had set up a consulting firm in China to collect information on the fishing industry, including industry policy and data, to share with those contacts.
It said Li had received instructions from overseas contacts, had “fabricated” materials to suggest there were environmental problems in the industry, and had helped “some countries” to enact trade restrictions against China.