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Secret filming, secret recording, eavesdropping, secret transmission... In spy war movies, TV shows and literature, all kinds of mysterious and powerful spy equipment emerge in an endless stream, making people dazzled. In real life, some inconspicuous daily necessities around us may also contain mysteries. It may be a pen, a lighter, or a tissue box. In the hands of foreign spies, it becomes a tool that threatens our national security.

The "mystery" behind the "gadgets"

Pen? Camera! A pen with a hidden camera inside could become an important tool for spies to take photos of classified documents.

Lighter? Eavesdropping device! A lighter with an eavesdropping device installed could make it easier for spies to eavesdrop in a split second.

Dragonfly? Drone! This tiny aerial drone looks like an insect and can gather intelligence using the miniature equipment it carries with it.

These seemingly inconspicuous "gadgets" may become tools for foreign spies and intelligence agencies to carry out infiltration and theft activities because of their "hidden functions" such as eavesdropping, stealing photos, sensing, and transmission. Once these devices are used for espionage activities, they become special spy equipment, which in turn threatens China's national security.

The "Implementation Rules of the Counter-espionage Law of the People's Republic of China" stipulates that "special espionage equipment" refers to the following equipment that is specifically needed for espionage activities:

(1) Hidden eavesdropping or stealth photography equipment;

(2) Burst transceivers, one-time code pads, and cryptanalytic tools;

(3) Electronic monitoring and interception equipment used to obtain intelligence;

(4) Other special-purpose espionage equipment.

The confirmation of special spy equipment is the responsibility of the national security department of the State Council.

Risk of theft and leakage of secrets

A Chinese company once sent a delegation to participate in the bidding of a large-scale development project abroad. While dining at a local restaurant, a local man brought a box of napkins into the private room. Later, the delegation found an object that looked like a USB flash drive in the napkin box and immediately reported it to the Chinese embassy in the local area.

After the device was sent back to China, it was tested and identified by the national security authorities, who determined that it was a special spy device used by foreign spy intelligence agencies. It is disguised as an ordinary USB flash drive, has two built-in micro microphones, is powered by a built-in 3.7V lithium battery, and uses a hidden micro button to control the working status. It has a digital encrypted recording function.

National Security Agency Tips

Article 15 of the "Counter-espionage Law of the People's Republic of China" stipulates that no individual or organization may illegally produce, sell, hold or use special spy equipment that is specifically needed for espionage activities. Once special spy equipment flows into society and is illegally used by people with ulterior motives, it will not only threaten personal privacy and commercial secrets, but will also endanger national security and social stability. The national security authorities will deal with the illegal production and sale of special spy equipment in accordance with the law. Any individual or organization that commits illegal and criminal acts that endanger national security will be severely punished by law.

If you find that others are producing, selling, holding or using special spy equipment required for espionage activities, please report it promptly through the 12339 national security agency reporting acceptance hotline, the online reporting platform (www.12339.gov.cn), the National Security Ministry’s WeChat public account reporting acceptance channel, or directly to the local national security agency, so that we can jointly build a strong steel Great Wall to safeguard national security.

Source: Ministry of National Security

Process Editor: U022