Spy Photo: VCG

China's state security departments recently handled an administrative case of a domestic individual's defection to an overseas espionage organization through fabricating classified documents to seek refuge, according to the official WeChat account of the Ministry of State Security on Tuesday.

The suspect, surnamed Zhang, traveled alone to a foreign country where he had heard gold mining was lucrative. However, he soon discovered that the reality was far from satisfaction. Not only did he fail to earn money, but he fell into debt and developed a gambling addiction.

Struggling with his circumstances, Zhang got the idea from a TV drama to fabricate classified documents and approach the country's intelligence agency for financial gain.

As he only speaks Chinese, Zhang translated his fabricated information and the phrase "Contact me if needed" into English on a piece of paper to overcome language barriers. He then took a taxi to the embassy and handed the materials to embassy staff. Zhang, guided by embassy staff, declared his intention to "defect,"  left the "intelligence" and his contact details, and received 5,600 yuan ($773) as rewards.

After Zhang returned to China, state security authorities conducted an investigation in accordance with the law.

During questioning, Zhang confessed to fabricating classified documents and attempting to approach the foreign intelligence agency. He expressed remorse, sincerely apologized, and voluntarily wrote a self-critical statement. Given Zhang's remorse and corrective actions, the state security authorities issued a warning and exempted him from further punishment.

China's newly revised Counter-Espionage Law further refines the definition of espionage activities, explicitly categorizing the acts of "Participation in an espionage organization, accepting any tasks from an espionage organization or its agents, or seeking refuge with an espionage organization or its agents" as espionage.

According to the Counter-Espionage Law, for acts of espionage not amounting to a crime, individuals may receive warnings, administrative detention up to 15 days, fines up to 50,000 yuan ($6900), or fines between 1 and 5 times the illegal gains (if over 50,000 yuan).

Global Times