The China Initiative aims to stop economic espionage. Is targeting academics over grant fraud ‘overkill’?
Washington PostNov 26, 2021
China Alleges Foreign Attempts to Steal Space Secrets
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Above: Spectators watch the launch of the Jielong No.3 carrier rocket Sept. 24, 2024. Image copyright: NurPhoto/Contributor/NurPhoto via Getty Images
The Facts
China on Wednesday claimed foreign agencies are spying on its space program as a new "battlefield for military struggle" emerges. 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 engaged in "infiltration and espionage activities," including inducements, bribery, networking, or even coercion of PRC researchers while attempting to steal China's cutting-edge aerospace technology.
The Spin
Pro-China narrative
Western nations are obviously jealous of China's space program's remarkable achievements. That's why it's important that China's steadfast security agencies have adeptly thwarted sophisticated espionage operations using robust countermeasures. Beijing must keep its guard up.
Anti-China narrative
In order to further subjugate its people within its surveillance state, China has frequently conjured up foreign spies for the public to fear. It's no surprise that it's now drumming up fears related to its space program. This hurts China at home and on the global stage.
