ref:topbtw-3668.html/ 25 Aprile 2023
La paranoia di Stato..
La psico-guerra dello spionaggio in salsa cinese..
Avvertimento si, oppure avvertimento no ?
Certamente qualche cosa di strano è nell'aria..
China is preparing to restrict transfers of any information related to national security under an updated counterespionage law,
raising fears of a stepped-up crackdown on foreign individuals and companies here.
The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress began deliberating the changes Monday.
The legislation, which will broaden the definition of espionage, is expected to pass Wednesday.
This will mark the first time since 2014 that the law has been amended.
The measure will expand the scope of the law -- now limited to state secrets -- to cover all documents, data, materials or items
related to national security and interests.
It does not provide further details on what constitutes national security and interests.
A greater focus will also be put on cybersecurity. Discussions of a system's vulnerabilities to cyberattacks could run afoul of the new rules.
Security authorities will be granted more power, including in inspecting baggage and electronic devices of those suspected of espionage.
Chinese citizens and organizations will have to report suspected espionage.
Logistics and telecommunications companies will need to provide technical support to fight espionage, while media organizations will havtoe
educate the public on the issue.
Foreign businesses worry that the changes could impact how they and their staffers operate in China.
There is concern over arbitrary enforcement, such as individuals being detained without concrete evidence.
In March, a Japanese employee of drugmaker Astellas Pharma was detained for allegedly violating the existing counterespionage law.
The man is believed to have had interactions with Chinese government and industry officials as part of his job.
Relevant authorities have solid evidence that the man engaged in espionage and will handle the matter in accordance with Chinese law,
said Wu Jianghao, the Chinese ambassador to Japan, on April 7.
Japan is demanding the man's swift release.
But little progress has been made, adding to tensions with China.
Foreign workers in China are on edge, given ambiguities about what would be considered illegal under the updated law.
Activities that are part of regular business operations are seen potentially becoming an issue, and some Japanese companies have warned
expatriate workers in China to be especially cautious when entering into new business deals in the technology sector,
which Beijing considers a national security priority.
The recent developments come amid a rebound in business travel to China after the country moved last year to end its zero-COVID restrictions.
Some businesses are now once again postponing nonurgent trips.
"Foreigners will surely be detained again," said Ichiro Korogi, a professor and modern-China expert at Japan's Kanda University of
International Studies.
"The only thing businesses can do is tell employees to avoid bringing computers and smartphones with them whenever possible,
and to avoid even small talk on Chinese politics."
The proposed changes are seen giving Chinese authorities justification to monitor foreign companies involved
in artificial intelligence, semiconductors and other key fields in the name of national security.
This could extend to their communications with their headquarters back home.
China announced in March an investigation of U.S. chip company Micron Technology, citing the need to secure critical supply chains.
Specifics on what triggered the probe remain unclear.
Foreign companies could have their offices searched as well, possibly exposing trade secrets and intellectual property.
Authorities detained five Chinese employees of U.S. corporate due diligence company Mintz Group and closed its Beijing office in March.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has stepped up his focus on national security in recent months, placing trusted allies in key posts.
Former State Security Minister Chen Wenqing, a major player in Xi's anti-corruption campaign, was appointed party secretary
for the Chinese Communist Party Central Committee's Commission for Political and Legal Affairs, which oversees all law enforcement.
Chen was succeeded as minister of state security by Chen Yixing, an aide to Xi during the latter's days as party chief of Zhejiang province.
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