As the Lunar New Year approaches, China’s Ministry of State Security has issued a directive urging citizens to remain vigilant against inadvertently compromising national security during holiday gatherings.
The ministry emphasized that “certain traps that endanger national security can enter our lives unannounced,” advising the public to be cautious during social interactions.
The advisory highlights the risk of foreign intelligence agencies exploiting routine exchanges to extract sensitive information. It warns against discussing state secrets on social media platforms and cautions individuals to avoid implying any “special identity” during interactions, as this could lead to being targeted by malicious actors.
The ministry also advises citizens to steer clear of military restricted zones, confidential research institutions, communication bases, and key power facilities during their outings. The public is also urged to be cautious when using social media, as foreign spy agencies may use these platforms to collect and steal state secrets and information.
This notice aligns with recent efforts by Chinese authorities to enhance public awareness of espionage risks. Earlier, the ministry issued warnings about military enthusiasts inadvertently leaking sensitive information by sharing photos of military equipment online. The public is encouraged to report any suspicious activities to the authorities promptly.
Legal experts note that China’s definition of “state secrets” is broad and often unspecified, allowing authorities considerable discretion in enforcement. This ambiguity can lead to individuals facing charges for sharing information that the government deems sensitive, even if such information is not clearly classified.