China’s anti-spy agency flags security risk from open window shades at dual-use airports

Warning issued in reference to a recent case involving a foreign national, Ministry of State Security says on WeChat but gives no further details

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A commercial aircraft parked on the tarmac at the Quanzhou Jinjiang International Airport in Fujian province, one of about 60 such dual-use facilities around the country. Photo: Weibo/CAAC

Published: 6:00pm, 24 Jun 2024

China’s top anti-espionage agency has highlighted security risks if passengers defy instructions to close window shades during take-off or landing at military-civil dual-use airports.

Doing so could lead to sensitive military information being leaked if they take photos or videos, the Ministry of State Security warned on Monday.

In an article posted on its official WeChat account, the ministry said such joint-use facilities, which make up nearly one-third of China’s airports, usually deploy important military equipment and passengers are not permitted to take photos of the sensitive military areas.

These airports are used for both civil aviation and regular air force training, and will be available for military use during wartime, the ministry said. Also, many of them are located near coastal and border areas “holding prominent strategic positions and significant military value”, it noted.

The ministry said the warning was issued in reference to a recent case involving a foreign national, but did not give further details.

According to domestic media reports, a foreign national on board a flight from the eastern Chinese city Yiwu to Beijing earlier this month allegedly used their phone to take photos of a joint-use airport, and a fellow passenger reported the issue.

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