First scientists, now photographers: China expands national security vigilance

China has intensified its focus on national security, issuing fresh warnings about foreign espionage activities just days after directing scientists to avoid disclosing sensitive research information.

In a statement published on Sunday, China's Ministry of State Security (MSS) said that foreign intelligence agencies were recruiting individuals in China through seemingly harmless part-time photography assignments and paid research tasks.

According to the ministry, recruits were asked to attend military and technology exhibitions, gather images and measurement data, and pass the information to overseas entities.

The warning is the latest sign of Beijing's growing emphasis on protecting scientific, technological and military information amid increasing global competition in advanced technologies.

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Espionage through public information

In the latest advisory, the MSS said that information collected from exhibitions may appear harmless when viewed individually but could reveal sensitive details when systematically compiled and analysed.

According to the ministry, high-resolution photographs of military aircraft, weapons systems and advanced electronics can provide valuable intelligence. Features such as aircraft panel designs, material coatings, circuit board layouts and chip models may help foreign analysts assess technological capabilities and military performance.

The ministry also warned that repeated collection of information on different components of a weapons system could allow outside observers to track technological developments over time.

As a result, the MSS urged citizens to be cautious of unsolicited approaches offering unusually high payments for photography or research work. It specifically warned against requests involving professional equipment such as telephoto lenses, 3D scanners and signal-analysis devices.

Scientists also under scrutiny

The latest advisory follows another warning issued by the ministry last week, in which Chinese researchers were told to avoid accidental disclosure of sensitive scientific information.

Authorities argued that scientific research data has become an important component of national security. Officials warned that even unintentional leaks could harm both individual careers and broader national interests.

The guidance highlighted growing concerns in Beijing about protecting research achievements from foreign access.

Expanding security focus

Taken together, the two warnings reflect China's increasingly broad approach to national security, extending beyond traditional military and intelligence sectors to include academic research, technology development and even public exhibitions.

Chinese authorities have argued that heightened vigilance is necessary to safeguard national interests in an era of intense geopolitical competition.

However, critics have argued that the expanding focus on security could lead to greater scrutiny of professional and academic activities, potentially narrowing the space for open exchange of information.