Chinese Ministry of State Security

 
The Chinese Ministry of State Security (MSS) disclosed several typical cases involving minors engaging in activities that endanger national security. These cases reveal a rising trend that minors are targeted and recruited by foreign espionage and intelligence agencies, causing serious social concerns, according to the MSS WeChat account on Wednesday.

In one case disclosed by the MSS on August 23, an individual, who had received financial support from a teacher for many years due to poverty, was approached by the teacher to provide classified information after securing a government position. Sensing something was wrong, the individual reported the situation, uncovering that the teacher was a foreign spy attempting to recruit youth on the mainland through long-term sponsorship.

In another case disclosed by the MSS on December 6, a middle school student was deceived by a foreign spy posing as a member of a charitable organization who the student got to know through online platform, to take photos of docks, ports, and other locations in exchange for payment. The requests escalated to include military facility details, creating a severe security risk.

Minors are highly active on various online platforms, but because of their immaturity and low vigilance, they often become prime targets for foreign spy entities. Additionally, they often lack the judgment and discernment to recognize or understand the legal implications of their actions, MSS said in the article released on Wednesday.

According to the article, cases disclosed by the MSS show that minors involved generally lack a clear understanding of national security and relevant laws. 

Meanwhile, the internet serves as the primary channel through which foreign intelligence agencies recruit minors. Several online platforms lack robust access controls and protections for minors. Additionally, security review mechanisms are often flawed, said MSS.

According to the MSS, protecting minors is a shared responsibility of society, strengthening prevention and governance of minors' involvement in national security-related crimes is essential for safeguarding the nation's future and long-term stability.

The MSS, in collaboration with relevant departments and all sectors of society, will work to strengthen minors' awareness of counterespionage and national security, fostering a coordinated effort to prevent minors from engaging in such activities and ensuring their healthy growth.

For cases involving minors, the MSS will adhere to a guide of "education rehabilitating," aiming to educate and reform minors involved in such activities, guiding them to acknowledge their errors. Furthermore, the MSS said they aim to promote comprehensive governance of online safety for minors, mitigating the risk of minors being recruited into activities threatening national security at its root.