China’s Spy-Hunting Paranoia, New Target “Illegal” Weather Stations; How China’s Paranoia Is Turning Neighbours Against Neighbours And Into Government Spies

China is intensifying its counter-espionage efforts under the leadership of President Xi Jinping due to escalating geopolitical tensions, and its latest target in its spy-hunting campaign is “illegal” weather stations.

The Ministry of State Security, China’s civilian spy agency, revealed that it has uncovered hundreds of meteorological stations with alleged foreign connections, which it claims are involved in spying for foreign countries.

The Illegal Spying Weather Stations
According to Chinese authorities, these stations were transmitting real-time weather data abroad, violating data rules and posing national security risks. The illicit weather stations were discovered in more than 20 provinces, with some even receiving direct funding from foreign governments.

The spy agency found that some of these stations were strategically placed near sensitive locations, such as military bases and defence companies, to gather altitude and GPS data, while others were located in major grain-producing regions to analyze crop growth and grain yield.

The Ministry of State Security pointed out that some of these devices were small, easily installed, difficult to detect, and capable of automatically collecting and transmitting data in real time.

Moreover, according to them, certain stations transmitted real-time information to official meteorological agencies overseas at high frequencies and from multiple points for extended periods.

Although the ministry did not specify which foreign countries were involved, it disclosed that the investigation stemmed from inquiries into over 10 overseas meteorological equipment agents and inspections of more than 3,000 foreign-linked meteorological stations across China.

The foreign parties implicated in this operation did not obtain the necessary administrative licenses for their activities, as per the spy agency; also, they did not share the data with Chinese meteorological authorities or seek approval for transmitting the data overseas.

This activity was found to violate China’s data security law enacted in 2021 and a separate set of regulations governing how foreign organizations can collect, use, and share Chinese weather data.

The Ministry of State Security emphasized the significance of meteorological data, as it is integral to data security, resource security, and linked to military, food, ecological security, climate change, and public interests. Therefore, the illegal collection and cross-border transmission of such data were deemed to endanger China’s sovereignty, security, and development interests.

China’s Hesitancy For Data Collection
The crackdown on foreign-linked weather stations follows previous controversies surrounding the collection of meteorological data by foreign entities.

In 2012, China called on foreign governments to stop releasing data on China’s air quality after the US Embassy’s documentation of Beijing’s severe air pollution drew public attention.

China Vs United States
The latest development in China’s counter-espionage campaign comes after a series of allegations were exchanged between China and the United States about espionage activities, further highlighting the escalating rivalry between the two nations.

China’s Ministry of State Security, which is typically highly secretive, has taken on a more public role in recent months, publicizing multiple cases of alleged espionage by the US.

The unusual move included launching a public account on WeChat, a widely popular social messaging app with over 1 billion users; the ministry has been using this platform to encourage the public to stay vigilant and report suspicious activities to authorities.

These actions by China’s security agencies come in response to the US’s claims of progress in rebuilding its spy network in China, following significant setbacks a decade ago, as mentioned by CIA Director William Burns.

China’s Increasing Paranoia
China has a deep-rooted history of espionage, well-known to foreign journalists who often believe their phone calls and residences were under surveillance and they were followed by plainclothes police while covering stories in the country.

Even visiting politicians and business executives take precautionary measures like carrying burner phones and unused laptops, knowing that their private data isn’t secure once they set foot on Chinese soil.

But China’s history of spying goes beyond foreign individuals; it extends to its own citizens in the current neighbours have become the new guardians against espionage.

During the Cultural Revolution led by Mao Zedong, Chinese citizens were encouraged to report on their relatives and neighbours. While China has evolved into one of the world’s most potent economic and military nations, the government, under President Xi Jinping’s increasingly wary administration, is intensifying its crackdown on perceived national security threats, reaching levels not seen since Mao’s era.

On the surface, there are no signs of a threat to the Chinese Communist Party’s 73-year reign, but the nation of 1.4 billion people is once again being urged to be vigilant against spies.

Nearly five decades after Mao’s death and China’s transformation into a capitalist powerhouse, citizens are now called upon to report their neighbours, relatives, and even lovers if they are suspected of sharing sensitive information with foreigners.

The Heightened Surveillance
In China’s Shandong province, posters have been distributed with headlines cautioning citizens to be wary of potential spies lurking among them; bizarre enough; there are even posters advising people to be cautious, especially with unfamiliar lovers, while another provides a hotline for reporting suspected spies.

The Spy Catchers
Moreover, Beijing’s top universities have recently launched campaigns to recruit students and teachers as “spy-catchers“; the initiative is supported by social media posts from China’s powerful Ministry of State Security, involving role-playing, interactive games, quizzes, training sessions, lectures, and even a “national security-themed garden party” to educate students on identifying espionage activities and contributing to national security.

The intensified focus on national security evokes comparisons to Mao’s era, raising concerns among experts. Michael Shoebridge, a founder of Strategic Analysis Australia and a former senior Defense Department official, suggests that the recent anti-espionage campaigns may have unintended consequences for Xi Jinping’s authority, as it disrupts trust and encourages individuals to report on their friends for seemingly innocuous interactions with foreigners.

Not Sparing Its Own Ministers
Xi’s security crackdown has also impacted high-ranking officials within the Communist Party, as two senior ministers and proteges of Xi have been removed from their positions in recent months.

These developments have raised questions about Xi’s judgment, particularly during a period of slowing economic growth and deteriorating relations with the United States and other nations.

Xi’s relentless pursuit of national security over economic growth and foreign relations has been a growing trend in recent years, with experts offering varied interpretations of his motivations; some believe it reflects his ambition to strengthen control over the Communist Party and assert personal control, even if it means mistrusting foreigners.

China’s recent focus on national security also coincides with the introduction of new anti-espionage laws in July, including restrictions on the data and information foreign firms can access in China.

To add more, the government has conducted raids and implemented bans on specific technologies, such as iPhones, in workplaces for security reasons.

A survey by the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) in Shanghai revealed that 60% of US companies in China are concerned about digital and data security laws, with 70% listing “data localization” and cybersecurity requirements as challenges.

China’s efforts to involve the entire nation in anti-espionage activities began in August when the usually secretive Ministry of State Security posted a call to arms on its WeChat account.

The ministry has even disclosed details of Chinese officials accused of spying for the CIA; this intense propaganda push follows comments by CIA Director William Burns in July, claiming that the United States has made progress in rebuilding its spy networks in China.

The International Game Play
While experts offer differing views on Xi’s motivations, his growing emphasis on national security amid the escalating global espionage rivalry between China and the United States has garnered significant attention.

Moreover, reports of recent spying allegations in Canada and the United Kingdom have served as a wake-up call for other countries. Australia had previously introduced foreign interference laws targeting China; however, today, Australian ministers are calling to revisit their strategies.

The Last Bit,
China’s relentless drive to bolster national security and the rise of espionage concerns have caused the nation to turn inwards, leading to citizens becoming foot soldiers in a government-led campaign against spies.

The impacts of this heightened paranoia on China’s society and governance are yet to be fully understood. As the world watches China’s transformation from an economic powerhouse into a security-obsessed state, it becomes increasingly vital for other countries to assess their own security measures in an environment where trust and transparency are in short supply.