China’s spy agencies target the ‘five poisons’ globally, says British intelligence.

China's spy agencies target the 'five poisons' globally, says British intelligence.

China’s Expansive Intelligence Apparatus: Combating Threats and Expanding Influence

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China’s rise as a global superpower is not only fueled by its military and economic might but also by its extensive intelligence apparatus. With tens of thousands of officers, China “almost certainly” has the largest intelligence network in the world. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has developed this sprawling system to both protect its hold on power and achieve dominance abroad. Taking a humorous and positive look, we will dive into the details of this intricate web of spies, their key targets, and their “whole-of-state” approach to intelligence gathering.

The Five Poisons: Chinese Communist Party’s Top Threats

Image Source: Yin Gang/Xinhua via Getty

China’s intelligence services are tasked with combating the “Five Poisons,” which the Chinese Communist Party perceives as its principal national-security threats. These include Taiwanese independence, Tibetan independence, Xinjiang separatists, the Falun Gong, and the Chinese democracy movement. Each of these threats represents a challenge to the CCP’s hold on power.

Taiwanese independence is seen as the top threat by the Chinese leadership. Despite being self-governed since 1949, Beijing considers Taiwan a breakaway territory and has vowed to absorb it, even if it requires military force. President Xi Jinping has made “reunification” a key mission of the CCP.

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Tibetan independence is another danger in the eyes of the Chinese Communist Party. China annexed Tibet in 1951, and it is now an autonomous region within China. Beijing views any movement advocating for Tibetan independence as a major national-security threat.

The plight of the Uighur Muslim minority in Xinjiang has drawn international attention and condemnation. Chinese authorities have subjected more than a million Uighurs to mass surveillance, “re-education camps,” and other forms of repression. Human rights groups have labeled these actions as crimes against humanity, while the US has gone as far as calling it “genocide.”

The Falun Gong, a religious group banned in 1999, is also a target of the Chinese intelligence services. Despite the government’s efforts to suppress it, millions of adherents still practice Falun Gong, primarily abroad.

Lastly, the Chinese intelligence apparatus keeps a close watch on the Chinese democracy movement, both at home and abroad, including in the United States. This tracking aims to subvert any movement that challenges the CCP’s authority.

China’s Sprawling Intelligence Apparatus

Image Source: ANBLE/Pichi Chuang

China’s intelligence network consists mainly of three civilian and military agencies: the Ministry of State Security, the Ministry of Public Security, and the Strategic Support Force of the Chinese military.

The Ministry of State Security takes a civilian approach, gathering intelligence through human sources and conducting counterintelligence operations against foreign spies and intelligence officers. It holds executive powers and plays a significant role in maintaining the CCP’s control at home.

Similarly, the Ministry of Public Security, another civilian agency, focuses on law enforcement and counterintelligence. Its main task is to ensure stability and suppress any threats to the CCP’s power within China.

Meanwhile, the Strategic Support Force, a branch of the Chinese military, specializes in signals intelligence, similar to the NSA. Its responsibilities include electronic collection, gathering intelligence from computer networks, and monitoring internet activities.

The Whole-of-Nation Approach

Image Source: Murad Sezer/Reuters

While the Chinese intelligence services primarily focus on countering domestic threats, they also have a broader agenda aimed at advancing China’s bid for superpower status. The United States and the United Kingdom have identified espionage as a central component of China’s strategy to dominate advanced technology sectors and acquire military know-how quickly. Chinese espionage is estimated to be responsible for $200 billion to $600 billion a year in intellectual-property theft.

China’s intelligence services employ a wide range of tactics, targeting classified and open-source information alike. They use professional spies as well as everyday citizens, such as businessmen and students, to gather valuable data for the benefit of Chinese leaders. This expansive “whole-of-state” approach, involving every state institution, company, and citizen, makes it challenging for foreign powers to detect and counter China’s intelligence activities.

According to a British intelligence report, Chinese President Xi Jinping is investing in intelligence reform, aiming to professionalize Chinese intelligence activities. Recent estimates show that China now spends nearly 20% more on domestic security than on external defense. This heightened investment underscores the importance China places on controlling threats both at home and abroad.

Conclusion: The Scope of China’s Intelligence Power

China’s rise as a global superpower is not limited to its military might and economic prowess. Behind the scenes, an expansive intelligence apparatus supports China’s ambitions. With tens of thousands of officers spread across multiple agencies, China’s goal is to combat its top threats, protect CCP rule, and expand its global reach and influence.

While the Chinese intelligence services remain primarily focused on domestic threats, they also play a crucial role in supporting China’s bid for technological dominance and military superiority. The “whole-of-state” approach employed by China makes it difficult for foreign powers to detect and counter its intelligence activities effectively.

Understanding the scope and objectives of China’s intelligence apparatus is crucial in navigating the complex landscape of global power dynamics. As China continues to assert its influence, it is important for other nations to develop robust strategies to safeguard their own interests and counter potential threats.

• China
• Espionage
• Industrial Espionage