China Alleges Foreign Attempts to Steal its Space Secrets
China InitiativeAlleges AimsForeign Attempts to StopSteal Economicits EspionageSpace Secrets
The Facts
China Wednesday claimed foreign agencies were spying on its space program as a new "battlefield for military struggle" emerged. In an article posted on WeChat, the country's State Security Ministry said "some Western countries" deem China "a major competitor" in the space sector.
The ministry alleged that these countries had tried “infiltration and espionage activities,” including inducements, bribery, networking, or even coercion of Chinese researchers. Emphasizing caution, it claimed they aimed to steal the country's cutting-edge aerospace technology.
The Spin
Attempts to infiltrate its space program are a testament to both China's remarkable achievements and the challenges its technological sovereignty faces. Its steadfast security agencies have masterfully thwarted sophisticated espionage operations using robust countermeasures. Their effectiveness was notably demonstrated in recent cases where infiltration attempts were detected and neutralized.
China frequently conjures up omnipresent foreign spies lurking behind every corner of daily life: as photographers, lab workers, and even food delivery drivers. Its public spaces are plastered with warnings about espionage threats in everything from weather stations to mapping apps. No wonder then that it is drumming fears over its space program. Such paranoia risks hindering legitimate global engagement.
