China’s spy agency warns overseas staff are being targeted for hi-tech secrets

Posted by Admin May 10, 2024 Tech

China’s top intelligence agency has warned that overseas entities have been approaching and tricking Chinese personnel stationed in their countries to steal China’s hi-tech industrial secrets.

In a post on its official WeChat account on Friday, the Ministry of State Security warned that the methods used by foreign spy agencies can be “quite deceptive” and overseas Chinese employees should take precautions.

When such entities identify overseas Chinese personnel overseas, they usually approach them in three stages, the ministry said.

Chinese Ministry of State Security app on WeChat. Photo: Handout

First, they create a “chance encounter”, where they pretend to be friendly and helpful to their targets. Then, they make frequent contact with their targets, invite them to dinners, and share information about their lives to gain trust.

Finally, when the targets have lowered their guard, the spies trick or threaten them to sell state secrets, according to the post.

When stationed in an unfamiliar environment far from families and friends, the Chinese staff may be inclined to socialise, the ministry said, but cautioned they should be calm and rational and avoid risks.

“They should stay on guard about the motivations others may have when they make friends, have a strong awareness to keep secrets and resist temptations,” the ministry said.

Over the past year, the ministry has been more active on social media, warning the public about threats of foreign spies, and urging people to report suspicious activity.

The posts have raised alarms on a range of risks, including underwater spyware found in Chinese waters, espionage disguised as consultations and overseas students being approached to obtain information.

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China’s revised counter-espionage law, which came into effect last July, expands both the definition of spying and the investigative powers of the country’s national security agencies. An amended state secrets law that took effect in May added a dozen new clauses that expand the depth and reach of its coverage.

The ministry had previously disclosed “classic examples” of people stationed overseas who were persuaded to spy.

In April, the ministry discussed the case of Zhang Xiangbin, a translator with a Chinese ministry who was stationed in a “foreign country”. He was approached by a spy, who befriended him and later paid him for intelligence.

For years, Zhang worked as a spy in the host country and had two children with a government officer in that country, the state security ministry said.

Zhang later quit his job when he realised Chinese intelligence might have been on to him. Before leaving, he took 5,200 files and documents, many of which were designated as secret.

In 2019, Zhang was sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve.