Photo: Screenshot of MSS's publicity video

China's Ministry of State Security (MSS) disclosed a new case on Wednesday concerning the manager of an express delivery company who was detained and fined for leaking counter-espionage case information.

Recently, the national security authority, in order to investigate an important case, met with a man surnamed Zhang who is a department manager at an express delivery company. After law enforcement officers presented relevant credentials, they requested Zhang's cooperation in providing information related to a suspect surnamed Pang, and cautioned that the details of that particular operation should not be disclosed to anyone else.

Zhang expressed his willingness to cooperate with the security officers and signed a confidentiality agreement as required.

However, after national security agency officers left, Zhang failed to respect confidentiality and mentioned the matter to a colleague. Although Zhang cautioned his colleague not to spread the information, news that "the national security agency is investigating Pang" still reached the suspect.

Upon learning that he was under investigation by the national security agency, Pang quickly went into hiding, disrupting the agency's investigative work. However, through meticulous investigation and precise deployment, the national security agency ultimately succeeded in apprehending Pang.

According to the MSS, Zhang signed the confidentiality agreement but still disclosed sensitive information to others, resulting in serious disruption of investigative work. 

These actions constitute the disclosure of state secrets related to counter-espionage activities. Considering his acknowledgment of wrongdoing, the national security agency applied a three-day administrative detention on the individual, along with a fine of 30,000 yuan ($4,148.7).

China's National Security Law stipulates that citizens and organizations are obligated to uphold national security by providing convenience or other assistance to national security work, offering necessary support and assistance to national security agencies, while maintaining the confidentiality of state secrets.

And according to the country's Counter-Espionage Law, any citizen or organization must, in accordance with the law, support and assist in anti-espionage work, and maintain the confidentiality of state secrets and details related to ongoing investigations. 

Disclosure of state secrets related to anti-espionage work often constitutes a criminal offense, and individuals will be held criminally liable according to the law. If the offense does not constitute a crime, the national security agency may issue a warning or impose administrative detention of up to 10 days, along with a fine of up to 30,000 yuan.

Global Times