In recent years, state security bodies worked with relevant departments to handle cases in which foreign spies tried to steal secrets in China’s space sector, effectively suppressing foreign intelligence agencies’ espionage attempts, the ministry said.
State security departments will continue to use concrete measures to safeguard China’s rights, security and interests in space, it added.
Information previously published by the ministry shows that the space sector is a focal point for Western intelligence agencies that spy on China. Their agents target scientists, designers and technicians working for State-owned contractors and have turned a handful of employees into traitors, including a senior missile designer who was exposed in 2007.
The latest spy case involving China’s space industry that has been made public was disclosed in April 2023.
Zhao Xuejun, a researcher at a State-owned institute, was approached by foreign spies while he was studying overseas and then was recruited. After returning to China, he continued to work for the foreign intelligence organization and delivered a large number of classified documents.
SANGHA KOMMUNE (SSR) 