In the video, a man travels in time to remind his past self to stay alert and avoid leaking information related to the economy, technology and military to the consultancy.
China warns foreign hackers are infiltrating business and government networks
China warns foreign hackers are infiltrating business and government networks
Over the past year, the state security ministry has become more active on social media to warn about the threat from foreign spies and call on the public to share information about suspicious activity.
The country’s revised counter-espionage law, which came into effect in July 2023, expands both the definition of spying and the investigative powers of national security agencies.
The newly amended state secrets law, effective from May, adds a dozen new clauses that expand the depth and reach of its coverage.
The ministry said the overseas consultancy conducted a comprehensive review of the Chinese company with the stated purpose of assisting its overseas listing, but used the process to gain access to core data and state secrets.
It said the consultancy persuaded staff at the company to answer questions about classified information, inquired about unauthorised classified files and recorded classified information about core products.
“Such information, if accumulated to a certain extent and analysed in a comprehensive manner, can reflect important information about our economic operation, national defence and military, which are important targets coveted by overseas espionage and intelligence agencies, and once leaked, will seriously endanger national security,” the ministry said.
Chinese security agencies tell students studying abroad to beware of spy risk
Chinese security agencies tell students studying abroad to beware of spy risk
The ministry warned that such activities amounted to illegally obtaining commercial secrets for “the containment and suppression of China’s advantageous industries”.
These activities aim to spy on and steal China’s core secrets, acting as “an accomplice” in espionage, infiltration and instigation, the ministry added.
Without naming the overseas consultancy that inspired the video, the ministry said its illegal activities were being watched and state security agencies had “acted decisively, blocking the channels of leakage of core data in a timely manner”.
Last year, several foreign consulting companies were targeted in raids. In April, local police questioned staff at US consultancy Bain & Company’s Shanghai office. In May, authorities raided international consulting firm Capvision.
The ministry emphasised that under the counter-espionage law, the definition of espionage is not limited to working directly with spy agencies and their surrogates but can also include working with other groups to leak state secrets.
Last week, the ministry warned that the networks of “hundreds” of Chinese business and government units had been infiltrated by an overseas hacking group, and urged citizens to step up cybersecurity.
China’s spy agency said Monday the head of a foreign consultancy had been found to be spying for Britain’s MI6 intelligence service.
The Ministry of State Security said in a WeChat post that Britain’s Secret Intelligence Service — also known as MI6 — used a foreign national with the surname Huang to establish an “intelligence cooperation relationship”.
Huang, who headed a foreign consulting agency, “entered China several times under instructions to use their public profile as a cover to collect China-related intelligence for Britain… and seek other personnel whom MI6 could turn”, the MSS said.
Huang allegedly passed 17 pieces of intelligence, including confidential state secrets, to MI6 before he was identified, according to the MSS.
The ministry also claimed he had received “professional intelligence training” in Britain and had used “specialist spying equipment” to send communications.
The MSS said an investigation had “promptly discovered criminal evidence that Huang was engaged in espionage activities, and took criminal coercive measures in accordance with the law”.
The statement did not provide further details of Huang’s identity or employer, or describe their current condition or whereabouts.
Britain’s embassy in Beijing directed an AFP request to comment to the Foreign Office in London, which did not immediately respond.
Trading allegations
China and Britain have traded barbs in recent months over allegations of perceived espionage and its resulting impact on national security.
Britain’s government has warned that Chinese spies are increasingly targeting officials, allegations that Beijing has denied.
A researcher at the British parliament was arrested last year under the Official Secrets Act and subsequently denied spying for Beijing.
China has publicised several other alleged spying cases in recent months.
In May, authorities sentenced 78-year-old American citizen John Shing-wan Leung to life in prison for espionage, though Beijing has not provided substantial details of his case.
And in October, the MSS published the story of another alleged spy, surnamed Hou, who was accused of sending several secret and classified documents to the US.
China last year also conducted raids on a string of big-name consulting, research and due diligence firms.
Last May, China said it had raided the offices of US consultancy firm Capvision in order to safeguard its “national security and development interests”.
Beijing also questioned staff at the Shanghai branch of another American consultancy, Bain, in April.
And authorities detained workers and shuttered a Beijing office belonging to US-based due diligence firm Mintz Group in March.
The US government and its chambers of commerce warned that the raids damage investor confidence and the operations of foreign businesses in China.
Dateline:
Beijing, China
Type of Story: News Service
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