Chinese citizens should engage in espionage - Chinese intelligence agency MSS appeals

Beijing – China’s leading intelligence agency has appealed to all Chinese citizens to be involved in espionage to thwart the ongoing espionage efforts of foreign powers. Besides, it has surfaced that the agency named the Ministry of State Security (MSS) created its social media account and published such posts. In April, the Chinese Communist government also expanded its scope by passing a new law related to espionage and making anti-espionage provisions more stringent.

In addition, Chinese President Xi Jinping prioritised national security and interests after taking over the country’s reins in the last decade. In 2014, the Chinese government passed an anti-espionage law. Later in 2016, a booklet was released warning the country’s citizens to be careful against foreign spies. Also, a scheme was launched in 2022 to reward one million yuan to those who share information on people threatening national security. Eventually, its provisions were made more stringent by reforming the anti-espionage law in April.

Moreover, the provisions of the new law came into effect in July. The law also allows all Chinese media, internet service providers, cultural institutions and private companies to participate in the anti-espionage campaign. On Monday, there were claims that the account launched by China’s intelligence agency on social media is part of a new counter-espionage campaign. In the first post of this account, the Chinese intelligence agency had called on all citizens to contribute to the anti-espionage campaign, saying national security is everyone’s responsibility.

In the last few months, highlighting China’s espionage issue, the world’s top countries have been constantly drawing attention to the growing threat of China. The US had accused China of building a centre for intelligence and surveillance in Cuba last month. At the same time, the United Kingdom expressed the possibility of China spying in every region of the country in its report.