Counter-espionage rules stipulate exit, entry restrictions

BEIJING, Dec. 6 (Xinhua) -- A new document on detailed rules for the implementation of China's counter-espionage law, which took effect in 2014, stipulates that certain people may be subject to some exit and entry restrictions.

The document was published on Wednesday.

According to the document, the State Council's state security department may decide to restrict certain overseas individuals from entering if they are believed to be likely to undermine China's national security.

It may also decide to restrict people suspected of espionage from leaving the country, the document said.

According to the rules, state security agencies are responsible for the implementation of relevant regulations and public security authorities, secrecy departments and military units should cooperate within their jurisdictions.

The document stipulates that the State Council's state security department is responsible for identifying "espionage organizations and their agents."

The identification of "hostile organizations" should be conducted by the state security department or public security authority, it said.

According to the 2014 counter-espionage law, the law could also apply to the work of state security and public security agencies in preventing and stopping other acts that undermine national security.

Wednesday's document said that such acts may include organizing, plotting or conducting separatist or subversive activities, terrorism, and fabricating and spreading information detrimental to national security.

Acts that undermine national security through religion, cults or by instigating disputes among different ethnic groups should also be regulated, it said. Enditem