A screenshot from CCTV

The national security authorities of East China's Zhejiang Province recently disclosed a case involving overseas spies attempting to steal military secrets of China's coastal islands, China Central Television reported on Friday.

Upon receiving intelligence about the overseas spies' plans to infiltrate a certain island in Zhejiang, which became a key target of overseas espionage agencies due to the construction of sensitive military facilities, the security authorities promptly activated an emergency response mechanism and planned for evidence collection and apprehension, according to the report.

The targets appeared as scheduled at a ferry terminal along the coast, where an overseas spy and a domestic assistant boarded the ferry as tourists to head to the island.

According to one officer from the national security authorities, prior investigations had identified several optimal locations for photographing military targets. Anticipating that the spies might linger on the island to observe and capture images, security personnel were positioned nearby to monitor the situation, said the report.

Once on the island, the spy and the assistant rented a taxi, initially using sightseeing as a cover before engaging in illicit espionage activities. Security personnel noted that the spy's vehicle made several loops around the island, particularly slowing down and rolling down the windows as they approached military target areas, according to the report.

After extensive evidence collection, security personnel apprehended the overseas spy and assistant.

Security personnel discovered four high-capacity SD cards from the spy, which were later analyzed by professional agencies. The contents of these SD cards not only included images of local military secrets but also photographs of military facilities and sensitive areas along China's southeastern coast, according to the report, citing one officer from the national security authorities.

Currently, the overseas spy and assistant have received legal sanctions.

The Chinese People's Police Day falls on January 10. The counter-espionage efforts in coastal border regions and surrounding waters have become increasingly complex and challenging. The national security authorities are responding and taking proactive measures to effectively prevent security risks, ensuring the safety of the nation.

Global Times