The new revisions have ruffled feathers among the business community, with companies fearing even tighter scrutiny. The new law embodies a “whole-of-society approach to dealing with anything that is a risk to this broad definition of national security”, Jeremy Daum, senior research fellow at Yale’s Paul Tsai China Center, told Agence France-Presse.ĭaum said the law builds on a broader trend of tightening control since 2014, after President Xi Jinping took power.īut its vague definition of espionage and national security gives authorities a wider berth, he added, and will probably have a “chilling effect on Chinese citizens who have contact with foreigners and foreign organisations”. “China will continue to promote high-level opening-up and provide a more law-based and international business environment for companies from all countries, including the United States,” embassy spokesperson Liu Pengyu said.īut experts have warned that the changes could sweep up those with even tenuous links to organisations accused of spying.įoreign businesses already face a tense environment in China, after raids on and questioning of staff at due diligence company Mintz Group and consulting firm Bain and Company this year.

Under the revised law, “relying on espionage organisations and their agents” as well as the unauthorised obtaining of “documents, data, materials, and items related to national security and interests” can constitute a spying offence.Ĭhina’s embassy in Washington said Beijing had the right to safeguard national security through domestic legislation. In May, a 78-year-old US citizen was sentenced to life in prison on spying charges. Originally released for public comment in December 2022, the revisions were formally approved by China’s top legislative body in April.Ĭhinese law already carried harsh punishments for those involved in alleged espionage, from life in prison to execution in extreme cases.

2016 chinese espionage