China has introduced new rules under its toughened counter-espionage law that allow authorities to inspect smartphones, personal computers and other electronic devices, raising fears among expatriates and foreign businesspeople of possible arbitrary enforcement.
According to Kyodo NewsThe new rules, which came into effect a year after the revised anti-espionage law expanded the definition of spying activities, empower Chinese national security authorities to inspect data including emails, photographs and videos stored on electronic devices.
Such searches can be conducted without a warrant in emergency cases. If officers are unable to examine electronic devices on-site, they are authorized to take them to designated locations, according to the regulations.
It is not yet clear what constitutes an emergency under the new rules. Foreign individuals and companies are now expected to face increased scrutiny from Chinese authorities as a result of the new rules.
Russia and China sign pact for year-round navigation along Arctic sea route
In June, China’s Ministry of State Security said the new rules would target “individuals and organisations associated with espionage groups” and that ordinary passengers would not have their smartphones inspected at airports. However, a diplomatic source in Beijing said the authorities’ explanations had not sufficiently clarified what was meant by espionage activities.
Last week, Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council upgraded its travel advisory to mainland China, advising against unnecessary travel due to Beijing’s recent tightening of regulations to safeguard national security.
In May, China launched a revised law on safeguarding state secrets, which includes measures to improve the management of secrets at military facilities.
Add Comment