Chinese Ministry of State Security
China's state security agency on Sunday revealed two cases of radio enthusiasts setting up illegal stations under foreign direction to gather sensitive data and spread disinformation.
According to the Ministry of State Security (MSS), radio technology underpins vital infrastructure. From supporting infrastructure operations to aiding emergency response, from ensuring secure communications to maintaining social stability, radio technology has a profound impact on national security and societal stability. However, unauthorized use poses a serious threat.
Some radio hobbyists see foreign radio equipment as "novel toys" unknowingly exposing themselves and the country to risk, the MSS warned.
One case involved suspicious devices near a naval port, continuously intercepting sensitive signals.
Investigators found the equipment belonged to Zheng, who is a radio enthusiast living near the naval port. He had accidentally received an email from a foreign data company offering him free radio equipment worth 1,000 yuan ($138).
He submitted his details and received and assembled the device on his balcony as instructed within a month.
During its operation, the equipment collected a large amount of dynamic information of ship location in the waters near the port and transmitted the data abroad via Wi-Fi, threatening military security.
Security authorities confiscated the equipment and penalized Zheng.
In another case, the state security agencies discovered that a Chinese national surnamed Zhang illegally set up a radio station to spread false information and disrupted social orders under the direction of foreign forces. To promptly eliminate the threat, the state security agencies, in coordination with relevant departments, arrested Zhang.
Zhang admitted that he met a foreign agent online who promised big rewards for broadcasting relevant content. He then bought the parts online, built the station under the agent's guidance, and received the content to broadcast.
Zhang knew the material was false. However, tempted by money and thinking he'd get away with it. He now faces serious legal consequences.
According to China's Criminal Law, whoever, in violation of the state regulations, sets up and uses a radio station or occupies radio frequencies without authorization, thereby interfering with the normal operation of radio communications, if the consequences are serious, shall be sentenced to fixed-term imprisonment of not more than three years, short-term custody, or non-custodial correction, and concurrently, a fine, or shall be sentenced to a fine only. If the circumstances are especially serious, the offender shall be sentenced to fixed-term imprisonment of not less than three years but not more than seven years, and concurrently, a fine.
Global Times
