China’s Ministry of State Security says foreign forces are covertly attempting to obtain and transfer the country’s sensitive geographic data, warning that such actions pose a threat to China’s national security.
According to the ministry, so-called “anti-China hostile forces” are using various methods, including covert mapping activities and the illegal collection and transmission of data, to gain information about China’s terrain, natural resources, and critical infrastructure.
The ministry says such geospatial data plays a significant role in economic planning as well as military and logistical operations, which is why any leakage is considered a serious security risk. It also highlights inadequate data protection practices that increase the risk of unauthorized access by foreign actors.
In recent years, the Chinese authorities have tightened legislation and oversight related to data security. Officially, Beijing says these measures are necessary to protect national security and regulate the digital space.
The warning was reported by South China Morning Post, which notes that Beijing views geographic and spatial data as a strategic resource and considers control over it a key component of its security policy.
Such statements from China fit into a broader context and reflect rising tensions with Western countries, particularly the United States, in the fields of security and technology.
Source: South China Morning Post
Author: Mariam Simsive
