Ministry warns of marine data espionage

Foreign espionage agencies have conducted a series of intelligence-gathering and technological activities to spy on China's maritime areas in recent years, posing growing threats to national security, according to the Ministry of State Security.

In a statement released on its WeChat account on Wednesday, the ministry underscored the strategic importance of safeguarding marine data, warning that if such data is exploited by foreign agencies with malicious intent, it could seriously endanger China's national security.

Foreign intelligence agencies have used various means to conduct reconnaissance and surveillance operations in China's territorial waters, the ministry said.