China's Ministry of State Security Strengthens Regulations to Prevent Espionage Activities

[Photo by Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Byung-hee] Chinese intelligence agencies have strengthened regulations to prevent espionage activities.

According to Xinhua News Agency on the 27th, China's Ministry of State Security announced the release and immediate implementation of the "Counter-Espionage Security Defense Work Regulations" the day before. The Ministry of State Security is the equivalent of South Korea's National Intelligence Service.

According to the regulations, the Ministry of State Security and other agencies will create a list of key institutions based on the nature of each organization, industry, secrecy level, foreign connections, and occurrence of national security threat incidents. Since key institutions are targeted at companies or organizations vulnerable to foreign infiltration, it is expected that Chinese authorities will strengthen surveillance over them. The list will be regularly adjusted, and key institutions will be notified of this in writing. Additionally, it clarifies that companies, organizations, and social groups have responsibilities regarding "counter-espionage security defense" work, and government authorities and national security agencies will be responsible for supervision, management, and guidance.

Specifically, each institution must have employees sign security-related pledges before assigning duties, report national security-related activities, provide education before traveling abroad, and conduct interviews upon return. The regulations also include provisions allowing visits and investigations of the companies, as well as inspections of electronic communication devices such as computers and equipment. The Ministry of State Security and others may order corrections or interview responsible persons in institutions with issues in fulfilling responsibilities, and criminal liability will be pursued if a crime is established.

China's state-run Global Times explained the background of the new regulations, stating, "Foreign spies, intelligence agencies, and hostile forces are intensifying infiltration and intellectual property theft against China in various fields through diverse means," and "It clarifies who will conduct counter-espionage activities, what will be done, and how."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.